Music in the life and work of Patrick White
Date
2017
Authors
Plush, Vincent Patrick
Editors
Advisors
Carroll, Mark Stephen
Jose, Nicholas
Jose, Nicholas
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Theses
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Abstract
Arguably, Patrick White (1912-1990) is Australia’s best known and most celebrated writer.
In a working life spanning almost seven decades, he produced twelve novels, eight
produced plays, three books of short stories and several collections of poetry, as well as
several film scripts (only one of which was produced during his lifetime), countless essays
and possibly around 5,500 letters.
This study traces the role of music in White’s life, and details the extent to which music
played a part in his literary praxis, both at the narrative level, and as a structural
framework. A survey of White’s exposure to, and subsequent embrace of music over the
course of his life is followed by a critical overview the extent to which music shaped four
significant works. These case studies comprise three published novels – The Aunt’s Story
(1948), Voss (1957) and The Vivisector (1970) – as well as an unpublished film script – The
Monkey Puzzle (1978). Together, they represent four distinct periods of his creative life and
exemplify not simply the growing importance of music in his creativity, but the maturation
of his musical tastes and knowledge of music.
School/Discipline
Elder Conservatorium of Music
Dissertation Note
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Elder Conservatorium of Music, 2018
Provenance
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