An Analysis Of The Alienation Theme In The Tree Of Man

This thesis dwells upon the alienation theme in Patrick White's The Tree of Man, probing into people's experience of alienation and their psychic trauma and psychosis.As a writer with strong social consciousness, White pays close attention in his writings to people's state of mind such feelings of loss, powerlessness and spiritual suffering in the period of social transition, The Tree of Man included However, so far, studies of this novel home and abroad are limited to its life or religious themes, artistic techniques (such as stream of consciousness, symbolism, psychological realism, etc.), character analysis, mysticism and so on. So far as I know, no one has discussed the work from the perspective of alienation. The present thesis attempts to probe from a new angle to reveal the seemingly unintelligible but pervasive alienation in this novel.To begin with, this thesis gives an overview of Patrick White and his The Tree of Man as well as the development of the alienation theory and its manifestation in modern western literature.Then, the present author focuses on White's perception of alienation reflected in The Tree of Man. Firstly, it is seen that White views the city as a seriously alienated and alienating place which deprives people of their subjectivity and will, and consequently, people lose their ability to appreciate the world, or feel powerless and perplexed, or be reduced to material slaves. There are estrangement, coldness and isolation everywhere. White's perception of alienation is also reflected in plotting this novel. Each part ends with Amy's failure in one form or another, which bears the author's view that fate could also be an alienating force, under the control of which people are doomed to failure. All their efforts to avoid being defeated are in vain.Next, the present author makes an exploration into people's self-alienation and the alienated interpersonal relationships. The protagonists Stan, Amy and Thelma are all experiencing alienation in different forms, Stan in his loneliness, Amy for her possessiveness and Thelma for her thirst for fortune, which, respectively, bring about Stan's inability to appreciate the world, Amy's loss of self-worth and spiritual freedom and Thelma's transformation into a slave of material pursuit. The interpersonal relationship in The Tree of Man is of indifference and estrangement. Harboring an intense distrust and jealousy, people are unable to get on good terms with each other. The seeming love, friendship and extended help are nothing but false manifestations of people to cover their indifference or emptiness or to show behavioral propriety.Finally, the author summarizes what have been discussed in the chapters above and the originality of the present thesis. By analyzing The Tree of Man from the perspective of alienation, the present author reaffirms White's great concerns about and philosophical meditations on human's destiny.