Dystopia as literary declinism in the novels of Michel Houellebecq

Sophie Patrick

doi:10.26182/5b95e80c4d52a

Dystopia as literary declinism in the novels of Michel Houellebecq

Sophie Patrick

School of Humanities

Research output: Thesis › Doctoral Thesis

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Abstract

This study explores how the dystopian genre is used by novelist Michel Houellebecq to convey declinist concerns through literature. Drawing from various disciplines within the humanities, as well as literary analysis and close reading, I show how deeply declinist ideas inform Houellebecq's fiction and that Houellebecq's entire novelistic universe, present as well as future,can be read as dystopian. After examining the socially critical and premonitory functions of dystopia, as well as the declinist impulse throughout French history, Houellebecq's novels are analysed around three key dystopian themes: economy, the body and religion.

Original language	English
Qualification	Doctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution	The University of Western Australia
Supervisors/Advisors	Jaccomard, Helene, Supervisor Thomas, Bonnie, Supervisor
Thesis sponsors	Australian Government Research Training Program
Award date	5 Jul 2018
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.26182/5b95e80c4d52a
Publication status	Unpublished - 2018

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10.26182/5b95e80c4d52a

THESIS - DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - PATRICK Sophie - 2018
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Cite this

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Dystopia as literary declinism in the novels of Michel Houellebecq

Abstract

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