Muriel Spark, Existentialism and the Art of Death

Muriel Spark's writings are contextualized within the tradition of Christian existentialism, which emphasizes being towards death. Craig explores Spark's resistance to Sartre's atheistic existentialism and highlights the influence of Kierkegaard's analysis of the aesthetic as a false mode of existence. The book offers detailed analyses of Spark's novels, explains the philosophies of Kierkegaard and Sartre, and re-reads major works. It also examines how Spark situates her plots within historical conflicts and social transformations of the twentieth century.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2020
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Muriel Spark's writings are situated within the tradition of Christian existentialism, which emphasizes the importance of confronting one's mortality. This book argues that Christian existentialism, particularly the work of Sren Kierkegaard, played a significant role in shaping Spark's religious beliefs and artistic innovations. Despite the dominance of atheistic existentialism in the post-World War II era, it is often overlooked that existentialism originated as a Christian philosophy, influenced by figures like Karl Jaspers and Gabriel Marcel. Craig explores Spark's writings, highlighting the influence of Kierkegaard and her resistance to Sartre's appropriation of existentialism for an atheistic agenda. Kierkegaard's analysis of the aesthetic as a false mode of existence that must be transcended by the ethical and then by the religious provides a fundamental framework for Spark's satirical critiques of the shortcomings of the modern world. Key Features: Provides comprehensive analyses of a substantial portion of Spark's novels Explains the philosophies of Kierkegaard and Sartre in a way accessible to readers without specialized philosophical knowledge Re-reads major Spark works, such as "The Ballad of Peckham Rye," "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie," "Hothouse by the East River," "Symposium," and "The Only Problem" Analyzes the ways in which Spark situates her plots within the major historical conflicts and social transformations of the twentieth century.

Weight: 370g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474447218