In this, his second published novel, Forster attempts to tackle the intellectual problems discussed by several of his principal characters and put across his view that the philosophical belief in Idealism, that there is no concrete material reality, could be at least ethically refuted by showing the importance of cultivating an interest in the objective and subjective existence of other people, different societies, nature and the universe. Though it remained Forster's favourite novel, most critics have found it aesthetically disappointing precisely because it is overly concerned with the ultimately irresolvable dilemma between Idealism and Materialism. Unsurprisingly, given its subject, the novel is quite sprawling but is firmly based in a style of realism and is concretely located in its…
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Citation: Childs, Peter. "The Longest Journey". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 08 January 2001 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=326, accessed 23 November 2024.]
