We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Self-Assertion and Affirmation in Saul Bellow's The Victim.
- Authors
Mishra, Binod; Sharma, Narinder Kumar
- Abstract
Saul Bellow's works have been analyzed from different angles and dimensions. Many critics consider him to be an iconoclast; however, that does not take anything away from the corpus of Bellow's writings. Bellow's literary acumen is reflected in his attempt to underline the importance of faith in human lives. Life cannot be seen as a calculation where certain things always get an upper hand. Moreover, the chemistry of life is not tantamount to balancing equations. It can never flow technically in one direction and can take turns at times. Uncertainties and upheavals in life may occur to anyone at any moment. But these forces should not enervate us. For, human will has the potential to overcome the ravages and rigors of life. The suppression of human will may lead to disastrous consequences, whereas the assertion of human will may help in getting over all the calamities that come our way. Bellow's second novel, The Victim (1947) deals with themes of human accountability and belongingness. The paper analyzes Bellow's views in this regard and argues that the damnation of man is not caused by external forces alone, but also by his own actions. Man is often responsible for bringing about his own destruction. However, he can always explore within himself the element of faith, which acts as an antidote to all his ills, despite being at odds with the outside world.
- Subjects
VICTIM, The (Book); BELLOW, Saul, 1915-2005; HUMAN behavior; ASSERTIVENESS (Psychology); AFFIRMATIONS (Self-help); SELF-help techniques; WILL; FAITH; CONDUCT of life
- Publication
IUP Journal of American Literature, 2010, Vol 3, Issue 1/2, p49
- ISSN
0974-6579
- Publication type
Literary Criticism