Inescapable Living Predicament-An Analysis Of Escapism In The Human Stain

Philip Roth, one of the most distinguished writers in American literary circle,nearly won all American literary awards. The Human Stain is the last of Philip Roth’s“American Trilogy”, which follows American Pastoral and I Married a Communist,in which Roth explores American morality and its effects.The Human Stain is set in the1990s in America. The protagonist Coleman ischarged with racism because he used “spooks” to call two absent students who neverattend his class. This incident causes his resignation from Athena College. After hisresignation Coleman makes himself involved in the affair with Faunia who is a34-year-old janitor working in Athena. Coleman receives hatred from all sidesincluding Faunia’s ex-husband. Coleman is eventually compelled into a hopelesssituation by rumors, anonymous letter and stalkers. This novel is intertwined withclashes of all kinds of elements such as race, identity, individual&time and chance&fate.This thesis studies escapism in this novel. Chapter one is an introduction of PhilipRoth’s high reputation. It also makes a brief explanation about the story in TheHuman Stain and a brief literature review on this novel both in abroad and at home.Chapter two familiarizes us with some escape phenomena in America history andculture to explain its influences on American people. The escapism in Americanliterature will also be elaborated in this part. This part is trying to provide evidencethat the escapism is worth studying as it influences American people’s life so muchthat it can be reflected in both life and fictions.Chapter three is a comprehensive analysis of escape theme in the novel. It mainlyfocuses on the three main characters in this novel: Coleman Silk, Faunia Farley andDelphine Roux. In the analysis of their escape itineraries the problems of race,identity, morality and the living predicaments in America will accordingly emerge. Itillustrates individual’s vulnerability when they are confronted with the craziness inthis careless society.Chapter four is a conclusion of this thesis. This part restates the main ideas of this thesis and concludes Roth’s wish for a free, equal society by everyone’s moralelevation.