Narrative Technique in the theme of Escapism

Abstract

In 1933, the word "escapism” was first used in the Encyclopedia of Social Sciences to describe someone who actively attempts to escape from their everyday life. Everyone agrees that Kurt Vonnegut is the undisputed king of postmodern literature. Vonnegut's original ways of storytelling, range of expressive tools, and dramatic creative results are what set him apart. His use of metafiction is blatant and very important, especially in his most recent books. The novel Slaughterhouse-Five is an excellent instance of how metafiction may be used effectively. Vonnegut's metafictional technique in Slaughterhouse-Five takes the forms of non-linear storytelling, collage, and parody. This paper uses postmodern narrative theory to examine in depth the ways in which these three separate narrative approaches are used. The focus of this paper is on the authors Michael Chabon, Jonathan Lethem, Thomas Pynchon, Junot Daz, and Jennifer Egan, and their use of self-aware escapism in their recent books. In this thesis, I argue that the central texts offer escapism as an artistically respectable goal with significant philosophical and political ramifications, challenging long-held beliefs about escapism and escapist literature.