Book Description
This book uses a trio of contemporary psychological paradigms (family systems, subject/object differentiation and depression, and personality theory) to discuss six works of fiction. The authors of the texts being analyzed are John Fowles, D.H. Lawrence, George Orwell, Robert Pirsig, Henry Roth, and John Steinbeck. The author employs these three psychological approaches in order to gain further insight into the psychological literary criticisms of these major works. Students and scholars of both psychology and literature will find this a useful work. Contents: Psychology, Literary Theory, and Character: An Introduction; Literature and Psychology: Synergistic Transaction or Solitary Confinement?; Family Systems in Literature: D.H. Lawrence's "Sons and Lovers" and Henry Roth's "Call it Sleep"; Scientific Personality in American Literature; Depression, Life-Span Development and Fiction: Orwell's "Keep the Aspidistra Flying" and John Fowles's "The Mangus"; Teaching Literature and Psychology in an Interdisciplinary Context; Conclusion; References.

About the Author
John V. Knapp is Associate Professor of English at Northern Illinois University.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This book uses a trio of contemporary psychological paradigms (family systems, subject/object differentiation and depression, and personality theory) to discuss six works of fiction. The authors of the texts being analyzed are John Fowles, D.H. Lawrence, George Orwell, Robert Pirsig, Henry Roth, and John Steinbeck. The author employs these three psychological approaches in order to gain further insight into the psychological literary criticisms of these major works. Students and scholars of both psychology and literature will find this a useful work. Contents: Psychology, Literary Theory, and Character: An Introduction; Literature and Psychology: Synergistic Transaction or Solitary Confinement?; Family Systems in Literature: D.H. Lawrence's "Sons and Lovers" and Henry Roth's "Call it Sleep"; Scientific Personality in American Literature; Depression, Life-Span Development and Fiction: Orwell's "Keep the Aspidistra Flying" and John Fowles's "The Mangus"; Teaching Literature and Psychology in an Interdisciplinary Context; Conclusion; References.

Author Biography: John V. Knapp is Associate Professor of English at Northern Illinois University.

FROM THE CRITICS

Style - Norman N. Holland

"...a worthwhile and courageous book. Knapp raises the right questions, and his proposed answers are informative, thought- provoking, and provide and excellent point of departure for anyobe wishing to take seriously...literary criticism's relation to the discipline of psychology."

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Rowman & Littlefield

"Knapp is a careful and a sane commentator on the whole issue of literature and psychology." — Bert O. States

Rowman & Littlefield