A study of symbolic patterns in the portrayal of individualism against authority in select American novels

Abstract

Individualism is one of the main aspects of American literature. Nathaniel Hawthorne, Kate Chopin and Richard Wright are some of the prominent writers who have made a significant impact on the American society through their works. The thesis critically examines the symbolic patterns in the portrayal of individualism against authority in Nathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter (1850), Kate Chopin s The Awakening (1899) and Richard Wright s Black Boy (1945). Hawthorne, Chopin and Wright have explored individualism against authority in their respective works by co-relating it with the authoritarian influence and oppression. Their writings affirm that one s individuality is to lead one s life as per one s will. However, the way it has been depicted is different from each other. They showcase a deep influence of the respective stereotypical society in everyone s lives. This leads to make the individualistic characters to face several challenges, oppression and denial from the authoritarian, who try to persuade them with power to stop their pursuit to lead a life as per one s will. The study examines the symbolic patterns in the depiction of individualism against respective authorities, like, the patriarchal Puritan authority, patriarchal Creole authority and orthodox and racist authority. The study analyses how the male and female authors depict individualism differently in their work. The study examines the symbolic patterns with reference to Self-Reliance, Bases of Power and Archetypal Criticism: Theory of Myths. The study evaluates the continuity and gaps in the portrayal of individualism against authority. Through Hester, Edna and Richard s character the individualism has been explored predominantly. Self-reliance vs authority, self-responsibility vs authority, self-identity vs authority, emotional strength and inspired by true incidents are the symbolic patterns in the portrayal of individualism against authority in the select American novels. newline