Relative Truth in Briefing for a Descent into Hell from the Perspective of Foucault’s “Power-Knowledge” Theory
Abstract
Briefing for a Descent into Hell is one of Doris Lessing’s lesser-attended science fiction novels, depicting the experiences of the protagonist, Charles, as he suffers a breakdown and is transported to oceans, deserted islands, and space in a dream world. In the novel, Lessing uses the experiences of the Charles to create three false truth for the reader, which fit in with Foucault’s “power-knowledge” theory. Analyzing the texts through Foucault’s “power-knowledge” lens provides insight into the impact of Lessing’s plotting in this work on the conclusion of “Truth is not absolute”, and deepens our understanding of Lessing’s aspirations to dismantle traditional dualistic views of truth.
Keywords
Doris Lessing; Briefi ng for a Descent into Hell; Relative truth;“Power-knowledge” theory
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[1] Bolling, Douglass. “Structure and Theme in ‘Briefing for a Descent into Hell’.” Contemporary Literature 14.4 (1973): 550-564.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18686/ahe.v8i5.13391
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