Publication Date

1969

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Garab, Arra M.||Gerber, Helmut E., 1920-

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of English

LCSH

Literature; Modern--20th century--History and criticism; Ethics

Abstract

The problem I address is whether or not modern man is capable of creating a workable and human ethic without the aid of any directive absolute external to himself. The problem invites my attention simply because of the discernible breakdown of many traditionally conceived absolutes. I approach the problem, through the testimony of a selected body of modern literature. The work of Sartre and Ionesco indicates that the man deprived of all directive absolutes is totally unable to salvage his existence. The work of Camus, Hemingway, and Yeats, however, takes an antithetical tack and holds that such a man is in fact capable of creating a positive workable ethic. Hence, while modern literature does not everywhere hold out hope for contemporary man, neither does it universally despair of him.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.

Extent

128 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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