An Existential Approach To Saul Bellow's Dangling Man

As one of the most influential figures in contemporary American literature, Saul Bellow authentically portrays the complexity and spiritual void in modern western society. Bellow depicts the dilemma of urban intellectuals, especially Jewish-American intellectuals and shows concern for the real needs and aspirations of modern human being. Bellow's works illuminate that the value of life depends on dignity rather than its success and truth must triumph at last. Affirmative and optimistic, Bellow's works explore grace and dignity within everyman, and quest for authentic existence in the modern world.During his literary career, Bellow creates numerous novels, which brought him prestigious awards and established his position in contemporary American literature. In his novels, Bellow explores living conditions of our time and anatomizes the problems that trouble modern human being. Influenced by the Existentialism, Bellow shares Existential attitudes towards absurdity of the universe, the alienation people surer from, and the query of human existence. To solve the recurrent questions of Existentialism, such as "Who am I?" "Why do I exist?" Bellow's protagonists spare no efforts in eliminating Existential perplexity and seeking the truth of authentic existence.As a Jewish writer, Bellow's literary works mirror the Jewish heritage and tradition that are deeply rooted in his mind. Bellow's works demonstrates his Jewish consciousness, which includes Bellow's beliefs in Jewish humanism and Bellow's unique attitudes towards community, family, suffering, Holocaust and so on. Bellow's works echo ethical optimism and reject denigration of human life. As Bellow's archetypal protagonists are Jewish intellectuals, Bellow's works reflect Jewish emphasis on family values, explore love and other relationship between self and others; and demonstrate Bellow's faith in the paramount importance of community.In this thesis, Bellow's humanistic worldview is studied through the analysis of Bellow's Dangling Man, with the aim of a better understanding of the combined influence of Existentialism and Jewish consciousness upon Bellow.This thesis consists of five parts:Introduction reviews Bellow's life and literary career, presents a brief survey of previous criticism on Bellow, and raises the thesis is going to discuss. Then have a brief introduction on the theory of Existentialism and its influence. And lastly make a literary review on the work.Chapter one analyzes the plights exists in Bellow. First depicts the conflicts exists between Bellow's inner world and outer realities, and the conflicts between the individual and others. It reflects the view of Existentialism, which believes the universe is absurd, and shows human reflection on the disorientation and confusions. Secondly depicts the sense of alienation. Seen as a whole, Bellow's protagonists suffer in the chaotic world, and share sense of alienation. They feel themselves impotent and helpless, being isolated from society, the only way is to avoid. Lastly it refers that the ultimate goal for humans'existence is to search for meaningful existence.Chapter two discusses attitudes on the plights with the influence of Existentialism. Accompanied by their strong desire to be human, the Bellow protagonists become aware of their responsibility, confront with reality and fulfill their integration with society. This thesis examines Bellow's concern for human being and summarizes Bellow's humanistic worldview.Chapter three explains Jewish consciousness in Bellow's works. In this section, it begins with the brief introductions to Judaism, Jewish culture, and Bellow's Jewish background. As far as Jewish consciousness is concerned, most Bellow's works depict men with Jewish identity or the Jew in disguise, share strong family ties, and value the significance of community and so on. Also, this thesis explores Bellow's indebtedness to Jewish tradition.The last part is the conclusion. By analyzing Saul Bellow's understanding on the plight of the protagonist, it reflects his humane care for the Jewish intellectuals. And from the existential perspective, it confirms that existence need strict self-constriction. In the absurd world, people should withstand the pain caused by freedom; not succumb to the outside world and make their own choices and bear all the responsibility.