Citation

Ghasemi P, Sasani S, Abbaszadeh J. Forum for World Literature Studies 2017; 9(4): 663-686.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

The nurture/nature dualism inherent in Marxist theory would be modified and updated in this paper by linking it to the Antonio Damasio's notion of social homeostasis to clarify Septimus' suicide and Clarissa's will to live, despite their similar characteristics, in Mrs. Dalloway. The issues of consciousness, self, and "social homeostasis" proposed by Antonio Damasio would be joined to Marxist class distinction critique to update this Marxist theory in order to analyze Mrs. Dalloway. In this way of adjusting and updating, Damasio's notion of basic homeostasis, core and extended consciousness would be introduced because social homeostasis is provided by extended consciousness to expand the function of basic homeostasis (well-being and survival) into the realm of society. In the end, the revitalized and updated Marxist's cultural critique (invigorated by assimilating the neuroscientific notion of social homeostasis into it) would be utilized to depict how in Mrs. Dalloway social homeostasis, in the unhealthy culture with exclusiveness of power to a particular class, contributes to the survival and well-being of dominant class, to which Clarissa belongs, and deprives Septimus of his freedom and of gaining optimal life situation.

Language: en

Keywords

Antonio damasio; Consciousness; Marxism; Mrs. Dalloway; Social homeostasis