TRANSCENDENTALISM OF WHITE IN THE AUNT’S STORY: A CRITICAL STUDY

Abstract

Patrick White is the only Nobel laureate of 20^th century of Australia. He is a transcendental writer with firm motives. Human consciousness is the key point in all his novels. He explores the meanings of life and mysteries of human sufferings in his novels. His fiction depicts the journey of his characters from suffering to redemption. He asserts the need for restoration of faith in life and God. Like a prophet he teaches that life is a mixture of opposites and dualities. He started writing at a time when the world was afflicted with the wave of nihilism and people were directionless. White discards nihilistic attitude of prevalent society and turns to transcendental writers like Emerson as hope. He learns that spirit of man is invincible and sufferings are unavoidable, but lead to redemption, if taken wisely. In his early novels Happy Valley and The Living and the Dead, the characters suffer and learn to accept fate. But in The Aunt’s Story, there is a sharp divergence as the sufferings of Theodora are purposeful in leading her to self-realization and peace. It is a challenging novel dealing with the transcendental theme of regeneration of the spiritual power. The novel explores the nature of truth concerning the mystery of life. She communes with the landscape and experiences peace of mind but her journey to Europe and America brings chaos in her life. Through Holstius, she learns the transcendental view that life is a complete whole made up of opposites.