Pursuit Of Freedom In E. M. Forster’s Italian Novels-from The Perspective Of Nietzsche’s Philosophy

Edward Morgan Forster (January1879-June1970) has been widely known as the one ofthe most distinguished British writers in the20thcentury. He is best known for his ironic andwell-plotted novels in the early20thcentury British literature. Where Angels Fear to Tread andA Room with a View are labeled as Forster’s Italian novels, for their settings and themes aboutItaly underline rational and cultural differences between Italy and England. Forster’s Italiannovels are of love and freedom. As the characters in his novels are pursuing freedom and love,it must be valuable to analyze the characters in his novels, especially from the perspective ofphilosophy. Many scholars from different perspectives have analyzed Forster’s novels, but theperspective of philosophy is rarely employed. As Nietzsche’s philosophy concerns over thefreedom, his philosophical ideas on freedom are employed as the theoretical basis. This thesisaims to analyze the characters’ pursuit of freedom in Forster’s Italian novels from theperspective of Nietzsche’s philosophy.This thesis consists of five chapters. Chapter One is the introductory part, including theintroduction of E. M. Forster, his Italian novels, and literature review. Chapter Two explicatesthe theoretical basis and research methodology. Chapter Three analyzes George’s and Lucy’spursuit of freedom by means of the “Triple Spirit Realm”. Chapter Four analyzes Philip’s andCaroline’s pursuit of freedom by means of the “Triple Spirit Realm” through their changes ofattitudes towards Italy, Gino and each other in Where Angels Fear to Tread. In doing so,Chapter Five draws the conclusion that characters in Forster’s Italian novels are pursuingfreedom by means of the “Triple Spirit Realm”. The attempt to study Forster’s Italian novelsfrom the perspective of Nietzsche’s philosophy is of academic value.