earticle

영어

The purpose of this paper is to examine how Saul Bellow dismantles the traditional interpretation of the subjectivity and objectivity through transcendentalism in Humboldt’s Gift. In general, we distinguish the perceiver from the things that are being perceived. According to mystical epistemology such as Hinduism or Emersonian transcendentalism, however, everything in the universe exists as an integrated entity that is not separated from each other; you are not separated from I and even inanimate beings exist as an integrated monolithic entity that is not separated from all beings in the universe. Bellow employs these transcendental elements in Humboldt’s Gift to dismantle the distinction: the subjectivity and the objectivity. The main character of the novel, Citrine, is being destroyed by people who exploit him. However, with his transcendental insight, he does not see himself and others as beings that are separated from each other. He thus recognizes himself and all of the creation of the universe as a connected entity, neither paying attention to the secular interest of the world nor minding suffering from anguish. The author thus dismantles the dichotomy between the subjectivity and the objectivity through the protagonist’s transcendental consciousness.