Saul Bellow and the Decline in Humanism (New directions in American studies)

This is a study revealing Saul Bellow's views on the decline of humanism. With chapters on each of Bellow's novels from "Dangling" to "More Die of Heartbreak", the author argues that Bellow's vision of modern American culture denies the possibility of humanist enlightenment for his heroes. Confronted by the materially-driven, spiritually impoverished reality of American life, they are increasingly forced into withdrawal and isolation from the fallen community around them.