Geloven in fictie: Vormen van troost in de nieuw-atheïstische roman

Abstract

This thesis moves between religious studies and literary studies and explores dimensions of consolation when people are confronted with loss and death. Traditionally, church and religion offered consolation in the form of rituals, the prospect of an afterlife and the ultimate reunion with loved ones. But in the present secularised world, church and religion are no longer self-evident. Where to find consolation in such a world? Consolation is an underexposed topic in religious studies and the aim of my thesis is to shed new light on this relevant topic through novels and the critical lens of New Atheism. Novels are ideally suited for my purpose because they reflect the Zeitgeist and display multiple voices and different points of view. My research explores novels written by authors who display an affinity with new atheism, a contemporary form of atheism, which takes a critical and often negative attitude towards religion. This thesis investigates how characters in the novels of the English authors Ian McEwan and Salman Rushdie and the Dutch authors Anna Enquist and Hafid Bouazza find consolation when faced with loss and death. Dimensions of consolation experienced by the characters in these novels include friendship, music, literature and preserving memories in healing narratives. These forms of comfort turn out to be just as fruitful and meaningful as the comfort that religion offers. Perhaps the differences between believing and non-believing are smaller than is often assumed.