Investigating Rebellion in Christopher Isherwood's Novel &quote;A Single Man&quote;

Academic Paper from the year 2022 in the subject American Studies - Literature, , course: PhD, language: English, abstract: The present study deals with Christopher Isherwood's manipulation of the concept of rebellion in his most prominent novel "e;A Single Man"e; (1964). The significance of the current paper is to analyze the novel and explore the theme of rebellion. It may also be useful for those students who have a lack of understanding of this theme to find a simple summary that will benefit them in their studies similar to this topic. The Isherwoodian novel depicts various stages of rebellion against the chaos of values, the middle-class conventions and against the authoritative moral standards that make certain forms of conduct appear right. There is a quest for spiritual growth and self-development in Isherwood s novel; therefore, the spirit of rebellion becomes milder as the novelist becomes older and more mature. The aim of this research is to trace Isherwood s experimentation with the concept of rebellion. As the hypothesis of this research goes by, the forms he introduces into it change the conventional understanding of rebellion from a punishable law-breaking act into an instrument to deal with the difficult problems then to raise man to the occasion. Isherwood proves that rebellion is a constructive, not destructive, act whose role necessitates the improvement of the state and the individual. A Single Man, presents a single day in the life of a lonely aged man who refuses life and locks himself in a small room thinking that the smallness of the room may protect him from the outside world. The conclusions end the study with Isherwood s success in creating art works that suggest the possibility to change rebellion from a retributive act of disobedience into a positive act against tyranny, calling for the renovation of the modern society through a return to the way of God.