Chapter One  Introduction  I. Patrick White and His Major Works  II. An Overview of Criticism on Patrick White Abroad  III. A Summary of Patrick White  Chapter One Introduction I. Patrick White and His Major Works II. An Overview of Criticism on Patrick White Abroad III. A Summary of Patrick White Study in China IV. Some Coideratio on the Present StudyChapter Two Tragedy Redefined and Its Expression in White's Novels I. Tragedy Recoidered II. Modern Tragedy: Inevitable Departure from Its TraditionalForm III. Tragic Profundity of Patrick White's Fictional World IV. White's Novels: Lengthened Gap Between Aspiration andFulfillmentChapter Three TheAunt's Story: Puuit of Authenticity of Selfhoodat the Cost of Normality of Life I. Theodore The Loneliest Individual II. Confrontation Between Individual and Society II. Modern Odysseus' Vain Search for True Self and Failure toRegain Her "Ithaca" . IV. Modern Tragedy of Existence: Denial of the Authenticity ofSelfChapter Four Voss: "The Long Journey Back in Search of HumanStatus" I. Voss: Alienated Superman with All Human Weaknesses II. Self-Inflicted Exploration: Clash Between Deity and Humanity III. Inevitable Destruction: Tragedy of Human Temperament IV. Dislocation in Sydney: Dilemma of Human ExistenceChapter Five The Vivisector: Tragic Conflict Between Art andReality I. Hurtle: Godlike Vivisector in the Name of Art II. Unwelcome Possum and Marginalized Artist lII. "Man in the Void": Loss of Faith and Identity IV. Pygmalion Story Rewritten: Superman Will in Vain V. Art or Love: Conflicting Relation Between Hurtle and His Women VI. Phallocentric Superman Craziness to Suppress the Subjectivityof WomenChapter Six The Twyborn Affair: Metamorphoses in Quest of a FitPlace in Society I. Eddie: "The Stranger of All Time". II. Sex Metamorphosis: Illusion of Genuine Love to SolveExistential Dilemma III. Death and Rebirth: Nightmarish Search for the Authenticityof Self IV. Self-Exile: Positive but Vain Attempt to Adapt to SocialRealityChapter Seven Patrick White's Novels: Modern Tragedy of HumanExistence I. Tragic Vision: European Influence II. Threat to Human Existence from Within and Without III. Suffering and Failure: Man of Absurdity and Believer ofAction IV. Loss of Belief and Recovery of AuthenticityChapter Eight ConclusionBibliography