Stefanie Eck

Science vs. Literature: The Representation of the Two Cultures in Ian McEwan's Novels Saturday and Enduring Love Stefanie Eck

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 1,0, University of Regensburg (Anglistik und Amerikanistik), course: Science and Literature Studies, language: English, abstract: Looking at the British novelist McEwan's work makes evident that he is, though belonging to the realm of literature himself, very much intrigued by scientific topics. For his novels Saturday and Enduring Love he even chose two scientists as the protagonists, who imprint their rational-scientific worldview on the narration. At the same time, both protagonists happen to find themselves in conflict with the realm of literature. The study at hand analyses the conflict of literature and science described in the novels, bearing in mind the real conflict of the "two cultures" since the 19th century.