Outward Voyages, Inner Journeys in the Travel Novels of Joseph Conrad, Henry James and Graham Greene by Soaad Baghli Berbar
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PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ALGERIA Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research University of Tlemcen Faculty of Letters and Languages Department of English Outward Voyages, Inner Journeys in the Travel Novels of Joseph Conrad, Henry James and Graham Greene Dissertation submitted in candidacy for the degree of “Doctorat” in English Literature and Civilization Presented by Supervised by Mrs Soaad BAGHLI BERBAR Prof. Smail BENMOUSSAT Board of Examiners Prof. Ilhem SERIR President University of Tlemcen Prof. Smail BENMOUSSAT Supervisor University of Tlemcen Prof. Fewzia BEDJAOUI Examiner University of Sidi Belabbes Prof. Abbes BAHOUS Examiner University of Mostaganem Prof. Leila MOULFI Examiner University of Oran Dr Wassila MOURO Examiner University of Tlemcen Academic Year 2015/2016 Abstract This thesis explores the inner, spiritual journey inherent in any outward, physical voyage and seeks to examine the reflection of the introspected on the observed, usually found in travel writing, in the fictional genre of the novel. It also proposes the label “travel novel” to categorize novels that rely on trips and whose characters travel largely in the course of the narrative. Resting on the premises that travel writing which is autobiographical and often takes the form of diaries and memoirs is generally a pretext for self-exploration in parallel with the discovery of other vistas in trips, it subsumes that travel which permits knowledge of the outside world and of the other equally fosters self-knowledge. This assumption is extended to fictional novels about travels wherein the traveller-character epitomizes the same process of self-discovery in parallel with outer voyages and understanding of the other. It is further generalized to third-person narratives by demonstrating that the surrounding scenery and the geographical spaces of travel novels reverberate the psychological states of the characters and that their spiritual questioning is echoed and projected onto the moving setting without being voiced in the first person. To encompass as broad a range of travel novels and narrative patterns as possible, the selection of the corpus under study includes the sea travel novels of Joseph Conrad, the transatlantic ones of Henry James and the global, worldwide works of Graham Greene. Lord Jim, The Ambassadors and The Power and the Glory are respectively chosen for their heterodiegetic narratives and various and wide topoi as well as their epitome of the different forms of trips such as navigation, tourism and escape. The three travel novelists are hence showed to avail themselves of psychogeography, heterotopias and even heteroglossia to substantiate metaphysical journeys and enhance both outer and inner knowledge. Key words: Travel Novel – Knowledge – Psychogeography – Heterodiegesis - Heterotopia – Heteroglossia. ii Dedication To the memory of my mother and Mr Benzian iii Acknowledgements I would like to express my gratitude to my supervisor Prof. Smail Benmoussat for his support and guidance towards the accomplishment of this work. He has given me the freedom to explore on my own while always being there for me in case of faltering. For devoting their time and effort to evaluate this work, my sincere thanks go to the board of examiners composed of Prof. Ilhem Serir from the University of Tlemcen as president, Prof. Smail Benmoussat from the University of Tlemcen as supervisor, Prof. Abbes Bahous from the University of Mostaganem, Prof. Leila Moulfi from the University of Oran, Prof. Fewzia Bedjaoui from the University of Sidi Belabbes and Dr Wassila Mouro from the University of Tlemcen as examiners. I am also sincerely thankful to my dear friends and estimated colleagues at the department of English whose help and encouragement are dearly valued, especially my sisters Dr Wassila Mouro, Dr Radia Benyelles, Prof. Hafida Hamzaoui, Prof. Serir Ilhem and Dr Faiza Senouci. I have to acknowledge with gratitude the assistance of the following scholars for documenting this work: first, Prof. Giorgio Mariani from La Sapienza University of Rome who opened every door before me and was extremely supportive, Dr Fiona Tomkinson from Yeditepe University in Istanbul who was so kind as to put even her personal computer at my disposal, Dr Celia Wallhead and Dr José Ruis Mas from the University of Granada in Spain who welcomed me to their library and readily discussed travel aspects with me, Prof. Richard Ambrosini from the University of Roma Tre who showed interest in my pursuit and accepted to read my draft, Dr Ricardo Capoferro who encouraged me despite his differing interests, Prof A. Robert Lee from Tokyo University whose conversations were deeply enlightening, Prof. Timothy Marr from the University of North Carolina who partook in heated discussions and wished me blessed endeavours when dedicating his book, Prof. Christine Reynier from Paul-Valéry University of Montpellier 3 for her advice iv and encouragement and Dr Vanessa Guignery from ENS Lyon for her prompt answer to my queries. I have likewise to acknowledge EU METALIC II mobility scholarship for providing the opportunity to travel to Rome and carry research in the best conditions and the members of the SELVA (Société d'étude de la littérature de voyage anglophone) for welcoming me in their midst and keeping me up-to-date with the developments in the field. My heartfelt thanks and praise go to my family: Papa, my brothers and their wives whose merits cannot be fully expressed here and to my family in law, especially Khiti without whom I would not have accomplished this work. I am also thankful for being blessed with two adorable children who should forgive my neglecting them to attend to this work. Last but certainly not least, my profoundest gratitude and unbound feelings are reserved for my travel companion in this life. v Contents Abstract …………………………………………………………………………………………… ii Dedication ……………………………………………………………………………………... iii Acknowledgements ………………………………………………………………………… iv Contents…………………………………………………………………….……………………. vi General Introduction ..............................................................1 Chapter One: Exploring the Travel Novel ................................8 1.1. Introduction ..................................................................... 9 1. 2. The Novel........................................................................ 9 1. 2. 1. The Rise of the Novel........................................ 11 1. 2. 2. The Characteristics of the Novel......................... 16 1.3. Travel Literature ............................................................. 23 1. 3. 1. Travel Writing.................................................. 23 1. 3. 2. The Travel Novel.............................................. 28 1. 3. 3. Knowledge in the Travel Novel........................... 35 1.4. Literary Theories ............................................................. 40 1.4.1. Comparative Literature and New Criticism............. 41 1. 4. 2. Bakhtinian and Psychoanalytical Criticism ........... 45 1. 4. 3. Psychogeography and Geocriticism..................... 51 1. 5. Conclusion..................................................................... 59 Chapter Two: Joseph Conrad’s Lord Jim ............................... 61 2.1. Introduction ................................................................... 62 2.2. Sea Travel Novels ........................................................... 62 2. 2. 1. British Sea Novels ............................................ 64 2. 2. 2. American Sea Novels........................................ 66 2.3. Joseph Conrad: Sailor and Novelist.................................... 68 2. 4. Psychogeography in Lord Jim........................................... 73 2. 4. 1. Outer Discovery............................................... 76 2. 4. 2. Inner Knowledge.............................................. 94 2. 4. 3. Heteroglossia .................................................106 2. 5. Conclusion....................................................................110 vi Chapter Three: Henry James’ The Ambassadors ................. 112 3.1. Introduction ..................................................................113 3.2. American Travel Novels...................................................113 3. 2. 1. Beginnings .....................................................115 3. 2. 2. Major American Travel Novels...........................118 3.3. Henry James: Transatlantic Traveller and Novelist..............123 3.4. Self-consciousness in The Ambassadors ............................130 3.4.1. Outer Awareness ..............................................134 3.4.2. Inner Perception ...............................................145 3.4.3. Polyphony ........................................................158 3. 5. Conclusion....................................................................162 Chapter Four: Graham Greene’s The Power and the Glory .. 163 4.1. Introduction ..................................................................164 4.2. Global Travel Novels.......................................................164 4.2.1. Antebellum Travel Novels...................................166 4. 2. 2. Post-War Travel Novels....................................172 4.3. Graham Greene: Travel Writer and Novelist.......................176 4.4. Spiritual Voyage in The Power and the Glory......................182 4.4.1. Knowledge of the Other .....................................184 4.4.2. Spiritual Enlightenment .....................................196