An Intertextual Study Of Bellow’s Novels

Saul Bellow is known as a master of American literature after Hemingway and Faulkner. As a scholar and writer, he was awarded with the Nobel Prize in 1976 for "the human understanding and subtle analysis of contemporary culture that are combined in his work". His works have exerted far-reaching influence on American literature, especially American literature after the Second World War.Saul Bellow denies being categorized to any literature school. He refers to his own works, classic literature works, religious culture and social contexts in three aspects: reiteration of Bellovian heroes, mixed use of narratives and reoccurence of certain themes.This thesis attempts to interpret the intertextuality in Saul Bellow’s novels, especially Seize the Day and Henderson the Rain King. The intertextual relations are explored by means of a close reading of intertextuality. This thesis first examines the overlapping temperaments (masochism and absurdity) shown in Bellovian heroes Wilhelm and Henderson. As for Bellow’s narrative techniques, he borrows some basic characteristics from traditional picaresque novel and in the meanwhile allows more possibilities for modern writing techniques, such as stream of consciousness and epiphany. The thesis also discusses the intense biblical presence and Jewish references found in the common themes in HRK and SD.It is safe to conclude that Saul Bellow’s writings feature intertextuality. The intertextual web is weaved by combination of style and narratives, reiteration of Bellovian heroes and such themes as "guilty and salvation" and "father and son relationship". His intertextual writing is after all intended to declare his defense of man, his stick to human dignity and his belief in human’s potentials.