| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立中山大學 === 外國語文學系 === 83 === This thesis attempts to explore the Darwinian world in George
Gissing's novels. It will define Gissing's novelistic position
as a Darwinian because in his novels the essence and impact of
Darwinism could be clearly traced: the recurrence of Darwinian
terminology, the depiction of the interrelation between
environment and character, and the dramatization of the idea of
competition and progress. The thesis consists of five parts.
The Introduction recounts the rise, development, and gist of
Darwinism, and briefly introduces Gissing's intellectual
background, the style and thematic content in his novels of
three periods. Chapter One deals with the interrelationship
between environment and character in THE NETHER WORLD. Chapter
Two centers on the tragedy of a social-ladder climber in BORN
IN EXILE. Chapter Three explores the idea of progress in THE
PRIVATE PAPERS OF HENRY RYECROFT. The Conclusion summarizes
Darwinian essence in Gissing's novels, and succinctly surveys
some contemporary American and Continental writers' response to
Darwinism for comparison.
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