Conflict Representation During 20th-Century English Fiction

Conflict Representation During 20th-Century English Fiction

The representation of conflict in 20th-century English fiction is a cornerstone for understanding the complexities of societal, psychological, and political struggles. Writers like Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, and George Orwell explored internal conflict, class struggle, and the effects of war, reflecting the disillusionment and shifting social landscapes of the century. Through stream-of-consciousness techniques, satire, and realist portrayals, these authors delved into the psychological effects of both global and personal conflicts.

Modernist and postmodernist fiction often depicted a fragmented, chaotic world, where characters were caught between competing desires, societal pressures, and a sense of identity loss. For example, Joyce’s Ulysses portrays the internal conflicts of its characters navigating identity crises in post-colonial Dublin. Meanwhile, Orwell’s 1984 represents the political conflict of the totalitarian regime and the psychological trauma of surveillance.

The 20th century also marked the evolution of the anti-hero as a central figure, embodying internal moral conflict and challenging traditional heroism. These portrayals of conflict explore identity, loyalty, and alienation, providing profound insights into the human psyche.

Long Tail Keywords:

• Conflict representation in 20th-century English fiction

• Psychological conflict in modern English literature

• Political and social conflict in English novels

• 20th-century English literature and the anti-hero