Chapter One Introduction I. Patrick White and His Major Works II. An Overview of Criticism on Patrick White Abroad III. A Summary of Patrick White Study in China IV. Some Considerations on the Present Study Chapter Two Tragedy Redefined and Its Expression in White's Novels I. Tragedy Reconsidered II. Modern Tragedy: Inevitable Departure from Its Traditional Form III. Tragic Profundity of Patrick White's Fictional World IV. White's Novels: Lengthened Gap Between Aspiration and Fulfillment Chapter Three TheAunt's Story: Pursuit of Authenticity of Selfhood at the Cost of Normality of Life I. Theodore The Loneliest Individual II. Confrontation Between Individual and Society II. Modern Odysseus' Vain Search for True Self and Failure to Regain Her "Ithaca" . IV. Modern Tragedy of Existence: Denial of the Authenticity of Self Chapter Four Voss: "The Long Journey Back in Search of Human Status" I. Voss: Alienated Superman with All Human Weaknesses II. Self-Inflicted Exploration: Clash Between Deity and Humanity III. Inevitable Destruction: Tragedy of Human Temperament IV. Dislocation in Sydney: Dilemma of Human Existence Chapter Five The Vivisector: Tragic Conflict Between Art and Reality I. Hurtle: Godlike Vivisector in the Name of Art II. Unwelcome Possum and Marginalized Artist lII. "Man in the Void": Loss of Faith and Identity IV. Pygmalion Story Rewritten: Superman Will in Vain V. Art or Love: Conflicting Relation Between Hurtle and His Women VI. Phallocentric Superman Craziness to Suppress the Subjectivity of Women Chapter Six The Twyborn Affair: Metamorphoses in Quest of a Fit Place in Society I. Eddie: "The Stranger of All Time". II. Sex Metamorphosis: Illusion of Genuine Love to Solve Existential Dilemma III. Death and Rebirth: Nightmarish Search for the Authenticity of Self IV. Self-Exile: Positive but Vain Attempt to Adapt to Social Reality Chapter Seven Patrick White's Novels: Modern Tragedy of Human Existence I. Tragic Vision: European Influence II. Threat to Human Existence from Within and Without III. Suffering and Failure: Man of Absurdity and Believer of Action IV. Loss of Belief and Recovery of Authenticity Chapter Eight Conclusion Bibliography
