This thesis has explored the theme of Productive Unity in John Barth’s novel, Giles Goat – Boy. Productive Unity is the process in which the tendency to individuation and the tendency to connection counteract resulting in a unity in polarity. In part, Barth deals with Productive Unity by showing the intellectual development of his protagonist, George Giles. This study has traced George’s development as he moves towards a discovery and understanding of Productive Unity. Barth also treats Productive Unity in his characterization. This study has discussed characterization in terms of the characters’ attempts to distinguish between opposites in accordance with the tendency to individuation, to ignore distinctions in accordance with the tendency to connection, and to simultaneously distinguish between opposites and ignore distinctions in accordance with Productive Unity. Further, this study has examined the theme of Productive Unity as Barth develops it through his idea of cyclology.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/181165 |
| Date | January 1975 |
| Creators | Stevens, Marcia |
| Contributors | Clifton, Lucile |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | iii, 102, [1] leaves ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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