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'James Bulman-May contends that the science of alchemy is a central reference myth in the novels of Patrick White. He traces the application of the alchemical myth from its first fully fledged representation in The Aunt’s Story 1948 through The Tree of Man 1955, Voss 1957 and Riders in the Chariot 1961 to The Solid Mandala 1966, aiming to establish beyond any doubt that alchemy is a key concept in the complex scenarios of White’s fiction.
'White’s application of the fundamental paradigms of alchemy provides a cogent framework of alchemical references. These are the main body of classical hermetic strata on which White’s oeuvre is based. As the main inspirational source for White’s multi-layered texts, alchemy represents a medium for his unique vision of Australian culture, consciousness, and spirituality. A decoding of the alchemical strata embedded in his texts gives direct and informative access to the hermetic myths which are at the centre of his fiction.
'White’s texts represent a revival of alchemical lore in an antipodean context. His subliminal focus on the ancient process of gold-making, especially its individuative aspect as interpreted by Jung in Alchemical Studies and Psychology and Alchemy, ultimately leads to his conception of a postcolonial Australian sensibility based on individuation, loving-kindness, and communicative competence. A deeper understanding of White as interlocutor involves an analysis of the role of alchemy and a cognition of Jung’s proposal that this formative paradigm exercises a strong influence on the contemporary imagination.' (Publication summary)
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
-
Alchemy Underlies Patrick White's Quest for Individuation
2003
single work
review
— Appears in: Antipodes , December vol. 17 no. 2 2003; (p. 173)
— Review of Patrick White and Alchemy 2001 single work criticism -
Colouring in White
2003
single work
review
— Appears in: Southerly , vol. 63 no. 2 2003; (p. 194-198)
— Review of Patrick White, Painter Manque : Paintings, Painters and Their Influence on His Work 2002 single work criticism ; Patrick White and Alchemy 2001 single work criticism -
Untitled
2003
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Literary Studies , October vol. 21 no. 2 2003; (p. 215-217)
— Review of Patrick White and Alchemy 2001 single work criticism ; Patrick White, Painter Manque : Paintings, Painters and Their Influence on His Work 2002 single work criticism -
Reviewing the Reviewer
2002
single work
correspondence
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , August no. 243 2002; (p. 8) -
Metaphors of Transformation
2002
single work
review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 22 June 2002; (p. 21)
— Review of Patrick White and Alchemy 2001 single work criticism
-
Untitled
2003
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Literary Studies , October vol. 21 no. 2 2003; (p. 215-217)
— Review of Patrick White and Alchemy 2001 single work criticism ; Patrick White, Painter Manque : Paintings, Painters and Their Influence on His Work 2002 single work criticism -
Colouring in White
2003
single work
review
— Appears in: Southerly , vol. 63 no. 2 2003; (p. 194-198)
— Review of Patrick White, Painter Manque : Paintings, Painters and Their Influence on His Work 2002 single work criticism ; Patrick White and Alchemy 2001 single work criticism -
Alchemy Underlies Patrick White's Quest for Individuation
2003
single work
review
— Appears in: Antipodes , December vol. 17 no. 2 2003; (p. 173)
— Review of Patrick White and Alchemy 2001 single work criticism -
Silver Mysteries
2002
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , June-July no. 242 2002; (p. 43-44)
— Review of Patrick White and Alchemy 2001 single work criticism -
Metaphors of Transformation
2002
single work
review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 22 June 2002; (p. 21)
— Review of Patrick White and Alchemy 2001 single work criticism -
Reviewing the Reviewer
2002
single work
correspondence
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , August no. 243 2002; (p. 8)
- The Aunt's Story 1948 single work novel
- Riders in the Chariot 1961 single work novel
- Voss : A Novel 1957 single work novel
- The Tree of Man 1955 single work novel
- The Solid Mandala 1966 single work novel