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ALA FINAL PROPOSAL A Narratological S Tudy of William Burrough's Naked Lunch
ALA FINAL PROPOSAL A Narratological S Tudy of William Burrough's Naked Lunch
Advisor:
Pushpa VK: PhD
By
Ala Mohsen Ali Alsied
October 2023, Iran
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction.
1.1 General Overview:...................................................................................................................................3
1.2 Review of Literature……………………………………………………………………………………..4.
1.3 Statement of the problem:........................................................................................................................6
1.4 Objectives and Significance of the Problem/Study………………………………………………………8
1.5 Research Questions and Hypothesis:........................................................................................................9
2. Methodology:
1. Introduction.
Olympia Press, Paris originally published William Burroughs’ novel Naked Lunch in July 1959.
The present thesis, "A Narratological Study of William Burroughs' Naked Lunch," delves into this
seminal work of this Beat Generation writer and examines the intricate narrative techniques and
structures employed in his controversial and avant-garde novel, Naked Lunch. The present study
aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the novel's narrative intricacies, exploring how
Burroughs challenges conventional storytelling norms and engages with the postmodern and
The thesis begins by introducing the context in which Naked Lunch emerged, including the Beat
Generation and the countercultural landscape of the mid-20th century. It also offers an overview of
William S. Burroughs' life and literary influences, showcasing how his personal experiences and
scholarly interests contributed to the creation of this innovative but controversial novel.
The primary focus of the thesis is on the narratological analysis of Naked Lunch. It investigates the
fragmented narrative structure, nonlinear storytelling, and the "cut-up" technique, which is again an
innovative and unconventional approach in literature. The present analysis deeply explores how
these narrative techniques affect the reader's perception of time, space, and character identity within
the novel.
Additionally, the thesis considers the role of drug addiction and homosexuality as central themes in
Naked Lunch. It explores how these themes are interwoven with the narrative structure to convey
Burroughs' socio-cultural and political commentary. The study also investigates the influence of
Burroughs' experiences with addiction and sexuality on the novel's narrative development.
Furthermore, the research seeks to understand the reception and impact of Naked Lunch within the
literary world and among readers. It examines how the novel was banned in several countries due
In conclusion, "A Narratological Study of William Burroughs' Naked Lunch " comprehensively
analyses the novel's narrative techniques and their significance within the broader literary and
traditional norms and contributes to the ongoing discussion of postmodern and countercultural
literature. Through this study, readers gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity and artistic
value of one of the most influential and unconventional novels of the 20th century.
William S. Burroughs' Naked Lunch has been a subject of critical fascination and scholarly
exploration since its publication in 1959. As one of the keystone texts of the Beat Generation and a
seminal work of postmodern literature, it has provoked a wide range of interpretations and
assessments. This literature review overviews key academic perspectives and critical responses to
Naked Lunch and stresses the novel's thematic complexities and narrative innovations. The novel
Naked Lunch is a revolutionary work in 20th-century literature known for its provocative content and
innovative narrative techniques. The present literature review provides academic perspectives and critical
responses to Naked Lunch, offering a comprehensive basis for the study's focus on narratology and narrative
analysis.
The critical reception of Naked Lunch was marked by much controversy and outrage. Contemporary
critics like Norman Podhoretz initially condemned the novel's explicit content and perceived the lack
of a traditional narrative structure. However, this early controversy also stimulated curiosity and
Bibliography by Joe Maynard provide insights into Burroughs' biography, including his experiences
What makes the novel Naked Lunch is its Narrative Innovations and Cut-Up Technique. The novel's
narrative innovations have captivated scholars and literary critics. Critics like Oliver C. Goble and
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Timothy S. Murphy have explored the unconventional structure, the nonlinearity of the narrative, and
Burroughs' use of the "cut-up" technique. This technique, involving the rearrangement of text, plays
a pivotal role in disrupting conventional storytelling norms. Timothy S. Murphy's work delves into
the postmodern and modern aspects of William Burroughs' literary style. He has examined how
Naked Lunch challenges conventional narrative structures and contributes to the discourse on
postmodernism.
Naked Lunch is often situated within the larger context of postmodern and Beat Generation literature.
Critics like Ann Charters and R.J. Ellis have examined how the novel embodies the countercultural
spirit of its time, challenging the boundaries of reality and reflecting the cultural and political
rebelliousness of the 1950s. Ann Charters, a prominent Beat Generation scholar, positioned Naked
Lunch within the broader context of Beat literature. She emphasized its countercultural and anti-
Many scholars have emphasized the novel's ability to serve as a lens to view its era's societal and
political issues. Works by Howard Brookman and others have highlighted Naked Lunch as a satirical
critique of authoritarian structures, addiction, and the dehumanizing effects of control systems.
It is a socio-cultural and political commentary of America that resulted in banning and legal
challenges. The novel's tumultuous history of censorship and legal battles is the subject of analysis
by critics like Barry Miles. They have explored how Naked Lunch faced bans and legal challenges in
various countries due to its explicit content, leading to debates on freedom of expression and
obscenity. Barry Miles was a biographer and writer of Beat literature who discussed the legal
challenges and censorship issues Naked Lunch faced in various countries. He highlighted the novel's
Naked Lunch has had a legacy and lasting impact on the literary landscape. Scholars like Oliver
Harris and Timothy S. Murphy have investigated its influence on subsequent generations of writers,
positioning it as a pioneering work that pushed the boundaries of experimental and countercultural
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literature. Timothy S. Murphy's work delves into the postmodern and modern aspects of William
Burroughs' literary style. He has examined how Naked Lunch challenges conventional narrative
structures and contributes to the discourse on postmodernism. Oliver Harris, a scholar and editor of
Burroughs' works, emphasized the novel's lasting influence on subsequent generations of writers. He
The other critics who offer a range of perspectives on Naked Lunch, reflecting the divisive and
provocative nature of the novel, are Norman Mailer, Lionel Trilling, John Updike and J.D. O’Hara.
Norman Mailer, a prominent literary figure, described Naked Lunch as "the novel that will cure the
novel." He praised its experimental and boundary-pushing nature, acknowledging its role in
challenging traditional narrative conventions. The influential literary critic Lionel Trilling was too
critical of the novel, stating that it "is not to be read at all." He was among those who found the
novel's explicit content and unconventional narrative structure challenging and questioned its artistic
merit. Similarly, a renowned novelist and critic, John Updike, noted the provocative and disturbing
nature of "Naked Lunch." He acknowledged that it was a challenging and provocative work but
expressed discomfort with its explicit content. It is J. D. O'Hara who has written extensively about
the narrative and structural innovations in Naked Lunch. His work focuses on the novel's
fragmentation and nonlinearity, shedding light on the impact of these narrative choices. His criticism
is a great aid to research on the present topic, i.e. a narratological study of Naked Lunch.
The present study investigates the following major problems by conducting a comprehensive
narratological study of Naked Lunch. This study offers a nuanced understanding of the novel's
narrative techniques, their relationship to thematic elements, and their role in the broader context of
postmodern and countercultural literature. This research contributes to the ongoing discussion
surrounding this iconic work and extends the scholarly exploration of Burroughs' literary legacy.
The main problem is evaluating the Narrative Complexity and Structure of Naked Lunch, celebrated
for its unconventional narrative structure, characterized by fragmentation, nonlinearity, and the
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prominent use of the "cut-up" technique. The intricate interplay of these narrative elements poses
the initial problem. How do these unconventional narrative features influence the reader's
perception of the story's temporal and spatial dimensions? What role do they play in shaping
The novel Naked Lunch's first line, “I can feel the heat closing in and feel them out there making
their moves”, clues us to the in-depth feelings of the protagonist and the thematic plus Stylistic
Integration of this novel. The novel's thematic complexity, featuring explorations of drug addiction,
homosexuality, and social commentary, raises further questions. How does Burroughs' narrative
technique complement or contrast with the novel's thematic concerns? To what extent do the
narrative choices inform the reader's engagement with the controversial themes explored within the
text?
Another point to trace is the cultural and Literary Significance of Naked Lunch because this novel is
situated within the cultural and literary context of the Beat Generation and postmodernism. The
problem arises regarding how Burroughs' narratological innovations contribute to its countercultural
and postmodern identity. How do the novel's narrative complexities reflect its era's cultural and
political rebelliousness, and how do they engage with the larger discourse of postmodern and
experimental literature?
There are many unanswered questions in the Critical Discourse of the novel Naked Lunch. The
critical reception of Naked Lunch has been extensive and diverse, with scholars exploring various
facets of the novel. Yet, an opportunity remains to deepen the analysis of its narratological aspects.
What gaps exist in the existing critical literature, and how can a narratological lens provide new
insights into the novel's narrative intricacies? The present research addresses these central problems
by conducting a comprehensive narratological study of Naked Lunch. This study offers a nuanced
understanding of the novel's narrative techniques, their relationship to thematic elements, and their
role in the broader context of postmodern and countercultural literature. The research is expected to
contribute to the ongoing discussion surrounding this iconic work and extend the scholarly
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The main objective of this study is to conduct an in-depth examination of the narratological aspects
of William S. Burroughs' novel Naked Lunch. This study seeks to achieve the following goals:
Narrative Analysis to dissect and understand the intricate narrative structures and techniques
employed in Naked Lunch, including fragmentation, nonlinearity, and the "cut-up" method, to show
how these techniques shape the narrative and the reader's experience.
Another aim of this study is an exploration of the Thematic Integration of the novel, i.e. an
investigation of the relationship between the novel's thematic content, which includes themes of drug
addiction, homosexuality, and societal critique, and the narratological elements, thus uncovering how
narrative choices enhance or complicate the reader's engagement with the thematic material.
The study also would contextualize Naked Lunch within the broader literary and cultural milieu of
the Beat Generation and postmodernism by exploring how the novel's narrative innovations
contribute to its countercultural identity and reflect the cultural and political rebelliousness of the era.
Moreover, the study aims to address the existing gaps within the critical literature by providing a
fresh perspective on the narratological aspects of the novel. Another aim of this research is to extend
the scholarship on Burroughs' work by offering new insights into the novel's narrative complexities
The significance of the study is its contribution to the reader's understanding of the narratology used
in Naked Lunch. The present narratological analysis of the novel Naked Lunch is expected to deepen
our comprehension of its narrative complexities, furthering our appreciation of its artistic and literary value.
This thesis endeavours to provide a comprehensive and innovative exploration of the narratological
elements in Naked Lunch. Thereby advancing our understanding of this iconic work, its role in
literary history, and its cultural significance within the 20th-century countercultural and postmodern
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context.
The research would contribute to the exploration of avant-garde and experimental storytelling
methods. By addressing previously unexplored narratological aspects of Naked Lunch, this thesis
donates to the ongoing scholarly dialogue surrounding the novel and the wider body of literature
associated with William S. Burroughs, thus extending the boundaries of critical discourse.
RQ1: To what extent do the unconventional narrative structures in Naked Lunch reflect the novel's
countercultural and postmodern identity, and how do they challenge these literary movements?
RQ 2: How do the narratological elements in Naked Lunch intersect with/ contribute to the
thematic content, particularly the novel's exploration of drug addiction, homosexuality, and societal
critique?
RQ3: What is the relationship between the "cut-up" technique and the novel's narrative structure,
and how does it influence the reader's experience and interpretation of the text?
RQ 4: How have critics and scholars engaged with the narratological aspects of Naked Lunch, and
in what ways might a fresh narratological analysis provide new insights into the novel's narrative
Based on the questions mentioned above, the following hypotheses are formulated:
H01: The unconventional narrative techniques used by Burroughs in Naked Lunch, including
fragmentation and nonlinearity, will be found to disrupt traditional storytelling norms and challenge
the reader's perception of time, space, and character identity within the narrative.
H02: The researcher hypothesizes that the novel's narratological innovations will be closely aligned
with the countercultural and postmodern identity of the Beat Generation, effectively reflecting the
cultural and political rebelliousness of its era while defying conventional narrative expectations.
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redefining narrative structures and challenging the reader's traditional understanding of storytelling.
Ho 3: The narratological elements of Naked Lunch will be intimately intertwined with the novel's
thematic content, providing a lens through which readers engage with the themes of addiction,
2. Methodology
The present research will employ a multi-faceted research methodology that integrates various
theories and approaches to comprehensively analyze the novel's narrative structure and interplay
with thematic elements. The research design incorporates the following key methods and
approaches.
By applying structuralist narratology, the study analyzes the underlying narrative structures of
Naked Lunch, focusing on plot, character, time, and space. Such an approach aids the identification
and examination of the novel's core narrative elements and their functions. The work of Gérard
Genette is an example of narrative theory. Genette provides an analytical system for looking at
narration as separate from the narrated story. For example, when applying Genette's five main
concepts, one might consider the order of events (does the story begin in the middle of the action?
What does that tell readers about the narrator's perception?), the voice of the narrator (are they a
character? Do they come across as logical, or unreliable?), the frequency of events (does the narrator
repeat phrases? How does that affect a reader's understanding of the work?), the duration (does the
narrator slowly narrate every stimulus? Do they skip key details over great periods? And the mood
The application of Vladimir Propp's narrative morphology theory assists in identifying recurring
narrative functions and character types within the novel, providing insight into the underlying
narrative pattern. Building on poststructuralist and deconstructive principles, the research questions
how Burroughs deconstructs traditional narrative norms, challenging the reader's perception of
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language, identity, and storytelling. This approach aids in uncovering how the text destabilizes
meaning and authority. By incorporating Freudian psychoanalytic theory, the study delves into the
subconscious elements of the narrative. By exploring the characters' motivations, desires, and the
In conjunction with these approaches, the study engages in literary analysis and cultural studies to
place Naked Lunch within the broader context of the Beat Generation, postmodernism, and the
holistic understanding of the novel Naked Lunch's narrative choices and cultural significance.
The research methodology includes close reading and textual analysis of Naked Lunch to identify
specific narrative techniques and thematic content instances. This approach enables the detailed
examination of the novel's textual intricacies. The study also employs historical research to
contextualize the novel Naked Lunch within the political, social, and cultural climate of the 1950s
and 1960s. Understanding the historical backdrop allows a more nuanced interpretation of the novel's
The research engages in comparative analysis by juxtaposing Naked Lunch with other Beat
Generation literature and postmodern texts. This comparative approach highlights the distinctiveness
of Burroughs' narrative choices. As an integral part of the research, the study extensively reviews
critical literature on Naked Lunch to situate the narratological analysis within the existing scholarly
discourse.
Therefore, this multi-faceted research methodology allows for a comprehensive examination of the
narratological aspects of Naked Lunch and their significance within the broader literary and cultural
context. The study aims to provide a thorough and insightful analysis of William S. Burroughs'
the novel's narratological elements and their intersection with thematic content and the broader
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socio-cultural context. The narratological analysis will commence with a detailed study of the
novel's narrative structure and techniques, focusing on fragmentation, nonlinearity, and the "cut-up"
method.
In Naked Lunch, Lee, a heroin user, looks to escape New York to avoid arrest by the police. He
thus embarks on a journey through Philadelphia and Mexico before arriving in the fictional state of
Freeland, where all life is well-ordered and hygienic. Following a riot in a Freeland psychological
reconditioning centre, however, Lee flees to the strange and fantastical city of Interzone. There, he
encounters bizarre orgies, medical experiments involving giant centipedes, and pornographic
performances. He takes a hallucinogenic drug, yage, which leads to a spiritual epiphany about all
life's temporal and spatial fluidity. However, Lee then finds himself again in his New York
apartment, pursued by two police officers who wish to impound his notebooks. Lee tricks and kills
the men before fleeing to Panama City and Tangier to avoid this.
A narratological analysis of William S. Burroughs' novel Naked Lunch reveals a complex and
innovative narrative structure characterized by fragmentation, nonlinearity, and the prominent use
of the "cut-up" method. These narrative techniques challenge conventional storytelling norms,
engage the reader in a unique reading experience, and contribute to the novel's postmodern and
countercultural identity. The narration is involved in the form of fragmentation. It is visible that
Naked Lunch is intensely fragmented, with narrative elements scattered throughout the text. The
novel lacks a traditional linear plot and is divided into loosely connected vignettes. This
fragmentation mirrors the disjointed nature of the protagonist William Lee's experiences.
The fragmented structure disorients the reader, reflecting the chaotic and disordered world of
addiction and societal critique presented in Naked Lunch. It dismantles the traditional narrative order
and encourages the reader to engage with the text nonlinearly and discontinuously.
Another feature of the narratology is the nonlinearity of the present in Burroughs’ writing. The
narrative of Naked Lunch unfolds in a nonlinear fashion. Events in Naked Lunch do not follow a
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chronological sequence, and time is presented as fluid and unstable. The reader encounters scenes
and episodes out of order, challenging to construct a linear and coherent timeline of events.
Nonlinearity heightens the disorienting effect, reinforcing the novel's themes of addiction and the
fractured nature of identity. It also mirrors addiction's nonlinear, cyclical nature, as characters often
In Naked Lunch, Burroughs uses the "cut-up" method, which involves physically cutting and
rearranging text, a technique he developed with Brion Gysin. This method is evident in the novel's
composition, with sections and phrases often rearranged to create a fragmented narrative. The "cut-
up" method challenges traditional authorial control, introducing an element of chance and
randomness. This randomness contributes to the novel's overall chaos and subversion of
conventional narrative authority. The technique emphasizes the malleability of language and
meaning, reflecting Burroughs' exploration of the limits of language and the deconstruction of
reality.
In sum, the narrative structure and techniques of Naked Lunch play a crucial role in shaping the
reader's experience and understanding of the novel. The fragmentation, nonlinearity, and use of the
"cut-up" method disrupt conventional narrative norms, encouraging readers to engage with the text
in a fragmented and nonlinear manner. This innovative narrative approach aligns with the
countercultural and postmodern identity of the novel and contributes to its status as a pioneering
work in experimental literature. Chapters three and four of this thesis will deeply explore the
The following is just a tentative outline. And the titles and number of chapters are apt
to change during this research work.
I. An introduction /Background
A. Introduction
B. General Overview
C. Review of Literature
B. Methodology
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C. Hypothesis
D. Literary Review
E. Thesis Framework
F. Definition of keywords.
2.4 References
Burroughs, William S. and Jennie Skerl. “Modern Language Studies 12.3 (1982): 3-17.
JSTOR. Web. 13 Oct 2011.
Beales, Brodie. The Way out is the Way in. Junk and the Subversion Interview with William
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Charters, Ann. Beat Down to Your Soul: What Was the Beat Generation? Penguin Books,
2001.
Fiedler, Leslie A. "A Casebook on The Naked Lunch." Grove Press, 1967.
Goble, Oliver C. "The First Cut Is the Deepest: A Brief History of the Legality and Censorship
of William S. Burroughs' Naked Lunch." The International Journal of the Book, vol. 3, no. 3,
2006, pp. 87-92.
Haapala, Ethan JG. "Dream Police": Political Imagination in William Burroughs' Naked
Lunch." (2023).
Lydenberg, Robin. “Notes from the Orifice: Language and the Body in William Burroughs.”
Contemporary Literature 26.1 (1985): 55-73. JSTOR. Web. 13 Oct 2011.
Murphy, Timothy S. Wising Up the Marks: The modern William Burroughs. University of
California Press, 1997.
Merrill, Thomas F. *The Beatitude of the Beatitudes: Lessons from the 'Naked Lunch'."
University of Chicago Press, 2008.
Propp, Vladimir. Morphology of the Folktale. The University of Texas Press, 1968.
Waldman, Anne. The Beat Book: Writings from the Beat Generation. Shambhala, 1996.