THE JOURNEY TOWARD IDENTITY: SELF-DISCOVERY IN SAUL BELLOW'S THE ADVENTURES OF AUGIE MARCH

Abstract

Saul Bellow's (1915-2005) novel, The Adventures of Augie March (1953), is a classic of modern American literature and a work about exploration of personal freedom, identity and self-discovery. The novel is based on the life of Depression era American Augie March, a young man who opposes the societal norms that attempt to define him and who looks for meaning and self-definition throughout his life. Rather than fitting into a well-defined role assigned him by his family, by society, by the economy, Augie is open to the many possibilities that life offers and has a variety of jobs, loves and experiences that help him develop his sense of self. This study is concerned with the theme of 'self-discovery' as it has been evolved by Augie's psychological, social and philosophical growth. Using the concept of identity formation and existential thought as the lens to look through, this paper will explore the impact of Augie's various mentors, friends and lovers on his sense of self and how they reject the notions of success and belonging of others. The study also considers the influence of class, culture, immigration and the American Dream on Augie's personal identity, and how these factors may complicate his personal identity. The study suggests that Bellow's notion of identity is not fixed and determined but dynamic and continuous process of development, choice and introspection. Augie's resistance to giving up his independence is a modern individual's defense of authenticity in a quickly changing society. His is a story of finding himself by defying the norms of society and the expectations of success, defying by failing, failing by trying again, trying again by falling again, the process of trial and error. The Adventures of Augie March ultimately is about human ability to regenerate, and it is about identity always being in process due to experience, relationship, and agency. Throughout the novel, Saul Bellow has worked on Augie's attempt to insight him, and he has left a fine commentary on the details of life in the contemporary world and the attempt at self-revelation. This paper aims to shed light on Bellow's humanistic approach to this novel and its relevance to the discussion of identity, freedom and the construction of self in the contemporary times.