The characters of Postmodernist Novel: Powerful effect of Existentialism

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

In this article, with reference to the comparison of the two contradictory features of the characters of the post- modern stories, attempts have been made to find the root of this contradiction in a social context. In post- mod- ern stories , the characters are unruly and nosey (based on the terminology of story writing ). These characters have authority over their own fates as well as events of the story, and at times change the story line despite the author’s desire. However, this contradicts with the other features of these characters, such as their lack of identity or multiple identities. The article concludes that such inconsistency is the result of the conflicts between post-modernity and post- modernism. The characters rebellion is a reflec- tion of today’s human desire to fight against the lack of identity which is imposed by post-modernity. Ironically, this struggle is caused by word- made characters that along with the world of story form the reality.

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