This title, first published in 1984, is a study of E. M. Forster as a liberal-humanist thinker and socio-literary critic. Advani discusses Forster’s ideas on man, society, politics, religion, art, aesthetics, fiction and literary criticism. The author examines why Forster was impelled from fiction towards socio-literary criticism and propaganda for art within the political and cultural context of post-Great War Britain. The book argues for Forster’s continuing importance as much more than a skilful novelist. It will be of interest to students of English cultural history, literary theory and criticism, and the work of E. M. Forster.
Preface; List of Abbreviations; Introduction: Forster and the Liberal Dilemma; 1. Forster’s View of the Nature of Man and Human Experience 2. Forster’s View of Social Order 3. Forster’s View of Religion 4. Forster’s Aesthetics 5. Forster’s View of the Novel 6. Forster on Criticism and as a Critic 7. Forster’s Literary Criticism; Conclusion; Set Bibliography; Index
Biography
Rukun Advani
