Fragmented Identities in Late 20th-Century British Fiction: A Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

This book examines identity crises in a series of novels with regard to fragmentation and reconstruction of identity. In contemporary times, the idea that individuals have various role identities that they employ in various contexts has found acceptance. The identity crisis of the individual has its roots in the conflicts and contradictions between the varying identities of the self. On the other hand, problematic social interactions with family members, close friends and significant others cause identity issues as well. Symbolic Interactionism emphasises social interactions’ importance on the individual’s sense of self and self-concept structure. This book offers a different approach to exploring identity fragmentation in the novel and applies a Symbolic Interactionist perspective to analyse the self-concept structure of the protagonists. The analyses of the novels focus on how individuals’ sense of self and self-concepts are influenced and transformed by social interactions and discuss the means people attempt to overcome their sense of decentredness.