Abstract
Although the division of works into categories or periods is risky with any author, especially a living one, I think it safe to say that the four novels White published from 1957 to 1970 constitute a major phase. Within these works, the Whitean concern with the quest towards apprehension of a greater reality finds its fullest treatment. Moreover, the novels represent a major phase in regard to the author’s conscious, careful, and increasingly complex exploration of the theme of failure.
The mystery of life is not solved by success, which is an end in itself, but in failure, in perpetual struggle, in becoming. (V, p. 269)
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Copyright information
© 1986 Carolyn Jane Bliss
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Bliss, C. (1986). The Major Phase: the Mystery of Failure. In: Patrick White’s Fiction. Studies in 20th Century Literature. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-18327-2_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-18327-2_3
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-18329-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-18327-2
eBook Packages: Palgrave Literature & Performing Arts CollectionLiterature, Cultural and Media Studies (R0)