Conflict Representation During 20th-Century English Fiction

Conflict Representation During 20th-Century English Fiction

Conflict in 20th-century English fiction becomes a central motif for exploring individual identity, societal changes, and political upheaval. Authors like Virginia Woolf, D.H. Lawrence, and George Orwell used literary conflict to reflect on both personal and collective struggles. The aftermath of World War I and the rise of totalitarianism in Europe shaped many modernist and postmodernist texts, where the central characters often face internal turmoil and societal alienation.

For example, Orwell’s 1984 explores political conflict under an authoritarian regime, where language, identity, and truth are constantly manipulated to maintain control. Meanwhile, in Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, psychological conflict takes center stage as the protagonist contemplates the disillusionment following the war and the struggles of mental health.

This literary exploration of conflict—whether personal, political, or philosophical—in 20th-century English fiction allows for a deeper understanding of how society and individuals navigate the complexities of a world marked by change and strife.

Long Tail Keywords:

• Conflict in 20th-century English literature

• Modernist representations of conflict

• Orwell and Woolf on internal and external conflict

• Political and personal conflicts in English novels