AustLit

'This paper analyses from the perspective of existentialism the novel Voss by Patrick White, in which Voss and Laura are converted from voluntarism to the pursuit of their authentic existences by the sufferings in the expedition. This paper concludes that White criticizes the nihilism inherent in the philosophical tradition of rationalism, promotes the pursuit of man's authentic existence, and explains the importance of the existentialist view of 'being-toward-death' to man's authentic existence illustrated by Voss and Laura's spiritual marriage and Voss' death. This paper points out that some of the White's philosophical ideas in Voss resonates with existentialism and , therefore, Voss is a classic novel with profound existential thoughts.' (84-85)