James Jones: An American Literary Orientalist MasterUniversity of Illinois Press, 1998 - 191 pages James Jones's spiritual beliefs were central to his great World War II trilogy From Here to Eternity. The Thin Red Line, and Whistle, as well as to the rest of his fiction. In this first book-length exploration of the subject, Steven Carter argues that Jones's ideas about reincarnation, karma, and spiritual evolution were heavily influenced by transcendentalism, theosophy, and Oriental religions. The author places Jones in what he identifies as a tradition of American literary Orientalism that includes Emerson, Thoreau, Kerouac, Ginsberg, and others. Carter bases his argument on extensive research into American literature and criticism coupled with visits and personal correspondence with Jones. |
Contents
James Joness Spiritual Evolution I | 1 |
Individual Salvation and Growth | 59 |
Bravery and the Circle of the Sexes | 93 |
Individual Social and Karmic Responsibility | 132 |
The Manifold Achievements of an American | 173 |
Common terms and phrases
accept Annie Besant argues attitude become believe Bob French characters Colony Collection combat numbness concept concern Dave Hirsh Dave's death Delacorte Press desire Emerson evil experience fear feels fiction Fife fight final Gallaghers George Garrett Ginnie Grant Grointon Handy Writers Handy's Harry Hendrick human Ice-Cream Headache ideas illusions implies individual Inherit the Laughter Jack James Jones Japanese Johnny Carter Jones's Karen karma karmic karmic relationship killing knows Landers learned lives Lobo Lowney Handy Lucky MacShane Madame Blavatsky manhood masculine Mast Mast's Merry Month Moreover mystical never novel Over-Soul pain Paul Brunton philosophy pistol Prewitt pride Reach Eternity readers reflects reincarnation responsibility role Ron Grant Running salvation Samantha sense sexual social soldiers soul spiritual evolution story symbolic Tarkoff theosophists theosophy Thin Red Line thing tion Touch of Danger transcendentalism viewpoint vision wants Warden Whistle Widow-Maker women writing