An investigation of the roots of twentieth century pessimism as reflected in major European novels. Swift, Conrad, Thomas Mann, Orwell and Golding are linked through this analysis which is seen to stem from a violent reaction in literature against the axioms and assumptions of its predecessor.

An investigation of the roots of twentieth century pessimism as reflected in major European novels. Swift, Conrad, Thomas Mann, Orwell and Golding are linked through this analysis which is seen to stem from a violent reaction in literature against the axioms and assumptions of its predecessor.