The Role of the Artist in the Work of Evelyn Waugh

Abstract

<p>This study of the work of Evelyn Waugh aims to analyze his concept of the role of the artist in his society. His fiction, diaries, letters and journalism have all been examined in an effort to articulate what Waugh thought that the artist, literary or graphic, should try to achieve. Secondary sources of biography and criticism have also been studied. The thesis follows a chronological approach in order to demonstrate changes in Waugh's thought as he matured and areas in which the same ideas persisted throughout his career.</p> <p>The results of this study show that an important consideration was the artist's duty to use his gifts to praise God. Another was the writer's role as a craftsman, producing a fine product which made the best use of the beauty of the English language. Social comment, personal integrity and individuality were also part of the mature Waugh's artistic code. His was a minority opinion in his time but one which should be studied to enlarge our understanding of the literary history of his era.</p>