Philip Child Criticism
Philip Child (1898–1978) was a Canadian poet and novelist known for his distinctive departure from the nationalistic styles favored by many of his contemporaries. His literary work is characterized by deeply psychological portraits and a penchant for surrealistic imagery, which create a unique narrative experience. In Day of Wrath, Child presents a somber account of Jewish persecution in Germany, a tale likely to endure due to its earnest storytelling, as discussed in Departed Glory. However, despite his attention to spiritual and psychological themes, Child's novels often struggle with plot and character development, as noted by William H. Magee. In "Village of Souls," Child explores cultural dichotomies through a protagonist torn between contrasting worldviews, a narrative enriched by Jungian archetypes, as analyzed by D. G. Jones. Dennis Duffy highlights Child's engagement with profound themes such as guilt and psychic fragmentation, offering a complex literary landscape that challenges simplistic paradigms of Christian humanism, as examined in Memory=Pain: The Haunted World of Philip Child's Fiction. Child's work, though not always in alignment with popular trends, remains a significant exploration of human introspection and identity.
Contents
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Departed Glory
(summary)
In the following essay, the critic assesses Philip Child's "Day of Wrath" as a somber yet serious and attentive narrative that, despite its grim tone and somewhat unconvincing character portrayal, may endure beyond more sensational war tales due to its meticulous storytelling of Jewish persecution in Germany.
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Philip Child: A Re-appraisal
(summary)
In the following essay, William H. Magee analyzes Philip Child's literary work, arguing that while Child effectively externalizes spiritual struggles through vivid yet static scenes, his novels often grapple with weak plots and lack of character development, ultimately overshadowed by melancholy themes of loneliness, love, and introspection.
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Eve in Dejection
(summary)
In the following essay, D. G. Jones examines "Village of Souls," highlighting the protagonist's cultural dilemma between Old World ideals and New World realities, symbolized through his relationships with two contrasting women, and explores themes of identity and psychological integration via a Jungian night journey.
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Memory=Pain: The Haunted World of Philip Child's Fiction
(summary)
In the following essay, Dennis Duffy explores the complex themes in Philip Child's fiction, arguing that while his novels may appear didactic, they profoundly delve into issues of guilt, psychic fragmentation, and sexual disturbance, offering a layered literary experience that challenges the optimism of Christian humanism with a more nuanced portrayal of human turmoil reconciled through dreams.