Uncertainty in British Literature

Paper Summary:

The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss and analyze the topic of 20th century British literature. Specifically it uses Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot", Graham Greene's "The Quiet American", and "Wide Sargasso Sea" by Jean Rhys to discusses how 20th century Britain produced an era of fragmentation and uncertainty. The paper looks at how each of these novels conveys the atmosphere of fragmentation and uncertainty in their own way and how each was written at a time when the entire world was uncertain and fragmented. It also discusses how each work represents different themes prevalent in 20th century British literature, such as realism, feminism, and a cynicism toward the world around them.

From the Paper:

"Samuel Beckett wrote "Waiting for Godot" in the late 1940s and it was first published in 1952. The play, which is essentially about nothing, illustrates the world (and England) after the end of World War II. The country was rebuilding from the devastation of the war, but the Soviet Union was dominating Europe, and the Cold War had begun. Many people felt the world was in a type of limbo, just waiting for the U.S. or the Soviet Union to begin another world war for world domination. Europe was fragmented and uncertain, and so was England, so the play reflects that. In addition, the play represents the fragmentation of British society, with the two main characters represented the lower classes, and Pozzo the upper classes. There was still fragmentation in society even after the war, and it exists even today. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Beckett, Samuel. "Waiting for Godot." Samuel Beckett.net. 2006. 15 Aug. 2006.< http://samuel-beckett.net/Waiting_for_Godot_Part1.html >
• Greene, Graham. The Quiet American. New York: Penguin Books, 2002.
• Rhys, Jean. Wide Sargasso Sea. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 1982.

More papers on Uncertainty in British Literature:

• Essay # 38957 : "Women in British Literature"
• Analytical Essay # 112585 : "Colonialism in British Literature"
• Research Proposal # 59889 : "English Second Language"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: