The Semantics of Desire

The book explores the evolution of the protagonist's identity through the lens of desire and value in literature, spanning from Dickens and George Eliot to Hardy, Conrad, Lawrence, and Joyce. Philip Weinstein analyzes how the imagined body becomes increasingly sexualized, shifting the focus from cultural significance to a portrayal driven by desire and instinct. This transformation highlights the complex interplay between personal identity and societal values in fictional narratives.