Malcolm Lowry's Under the Volcano: A Twentieth Century Faust Story
Abstract
Under the Volcano, published in 1947, has been called
"a work of genius," "a twentieth century classic,"a legendary
novel by a tragic figure who wrote his agony into it," "a great
book," and "a neglected masterpiece." It is all of these. And
it is with deep doubt that I submit this paper. It is highly
possible that in dealing with a limited aspect of such an
illimitable novel I have been grossly unfair to Lowry and to his
novel. That Under the Volcano can be read as a twentieth century
Faust story I have no doubt, but I would remind those who read
this paper that my intention, the presentation of a valid reading
of the novel, was a severely limited one indeed. The novel is
a Faust story, but it is also much more than that. I hope that
this brief paper will somehow contribute to the recognition that
Under the Volcano merits.