Abstract

This work entitled “Psychic disintegration and the Notion of War: A Study of Virginia Woolf’s to the lighthouse focuses on the notions of war and psychic disintegration which I break it down to the concept of death and mourning. After reading through the novel, I notice that Virginia Woolf clearly points out that “death creates meaning in life, and without death there would be nothing to cherish and nothing to live for.

The researcher sets out to examine good description of the characters which experience epiphanies into the meaning of life and death. The study is based on the assumption that Virginia Woolf To The Lighthouse depict the influence Of war on Psychic disintegration. The researcher conducted this dissertation with the sole aim in examining Psychic disintegration and the notion of war which specifically implies the concept of death and mourning in To the Lighthouse. The analysis in this work is guided by the New Historical and psychoanalytical literary theories.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Research Problem

After reading through the novel, I notice that Virginia Woolf clearly points out that “death creates meaning in life, and without death there would be nothing to cherish and nothing to live for. The researcher sets out to examine good description of the characters which experience epiphanies into the meaning of life and death.

Aim of Study

The researcher conducted this dissertation with the sole aim in examining Psychic disintegration and the notion of war which specifically implies the concept of death and mourning in To the Lighthouse

Research Questions

1. This work is guided by the following research questions;
2. How is the theme address in To the Lighthouse
3. What are the differences between the concept of death and mourning from Woolf’s perspective and the portrayal of the concept in Modernist novels
4. What were the effects of the Great War on psychic disintegration in Virginia Woolf’s fiction
5. How can the work under study be integrated in an English Language lesson?

Hypothesis

The study is based on the assumption that Virginia Woolf To the Lighthouse depict the influence Of war on Psychic disintegration.

Scope of Study

Although cross analysis will be made to other works, this study limits itself to Virginia Woolf To The Lighthouse as they glaringly depict the the analysis of elements of psychic disintegration and war in other to explore the English society of the 19th Century and portray the socio-cultural problems faced in England during that era. We will critically analyse the various ideas put forth by the author Virginia Woolf. We shall also make reference to his biography, his society and other works with a similar ideology. Reference will be made to the New Historicist and the Psychoanalytical theories which are the frameworks of our analysis.

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