Donald Barthelme and not-knowing: 1964-1987

Thesis

This thesis argues that Barthelme's major 1985 essay "Not-Knowing" contains within its title Barthelme's central artistic idea, and that not-knowing informs both the subject of his fiction and his philosophy of art. This study will be the first critical treatment of Barthelme that positions his work from beginning to end in terms of the dimensions of not-knowing that came out of his own reading in psychology, art theory, philosophy, religion, and education, offering coherent readings of co...

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Authors: Abramowitz, R

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-2zbberrpb
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford