Samuel Beckett: Joycean and Surreal?

British Studies Lecture Series

Speaker – Alan Friedman

Scholars tend to label Samuel Beckett’s early career negatively as either his “Joyce years” or his “Surrealist period,” maintaining that Joyce’s writings had a detrimental effect on Beckett’s initial works and that Surrealism was only a minor influence. But both were critical models for Beckett. He mined his powerful predecessors for themes, ideas, and techniques that he used throughout his career, even as he rejected the aspects of them that did not suit him, and increasingly transcended the constraints of their particular styles.

Alan Friedman, Thaman Professor of English and Comparative Literature, specializes in modern British, Irish, and American literature, the novel, and Shakespearean drama. He is the author of six books and has edited a dozen others, as well as coedited four special journal issues on Joyce and Beckett. His honors include the UT’s Civitatis Award, conferred annually for dedicated and meritorious service to the University. For 20 years he coordinated the Actors from the London Stage program and the student group Spirit of Shakespeare. He has chaired the University’s Faculty Council and is currently Secretary of the General Faculty.