Lukacs' Theory of the Novel

One passage in Edward W. Said's "Reflections on Exile" that struck me was his discussion of Georg Lukacs and his Theory of the Novel. Said explains that Lukacs argued that the novel itself is "the form of 'transcendental homelessness'" (181). I found it very interesting how the novel was contrasted with classical epics. In the epics, there is only one "world": one set of values, identities, etc. The novel lends itself more to a representation of the thoughts of an exile. In many European novels, the reader is exposed to "a changing society in which an itinerant and disinherited middle-class hero or heroine seeks to construct a new world that somewhat resembles an old one left behind forever" (Said 181). There is a stark contrast between the genre with a strong sense of limitation and finality, and the one where alternatives exist for the benefit of exiles.

It never really occurred to me how influential the minds of exiles, particularly exiled writers, have been. Said asserts that a great deal of exiles are intellectuals and novelists. The vision that such writers have based on their experiences creates a whole new way for them to write and to capitivate a reading audience with hopes of a world where they do belong. I was wondering if anyone in the class can think of any writers whose novels are based on this theme of exile and the idea of other worlds existing, in contrast to the "finality" of epics?

-Patrick Kennedy