The “Language” of Campus Novels - A Gap Between High Ideals of an Institution and Human Weaknesses

Abstract

The present paper synthesizes the importance of the campus novel and its impact upon post-war Britain, beginning with the 1950s. The intention is to explain the importance of this genre in the academic environment and not only. I focused on the works of two representative writers in this respect, that is, Kingsley Amis and Malcolm Bradbury. It is a very modern theme because it does not concern only professors but also students and implicitly their parents, and hence, the huge popularity of this literary genre. Presented in a relaxing and comic manner, this type of novel deals with all sorts of pressures, relationships, protocols, love affairs, endless meetings and historical facts which sooner or later highlight the ridiculosity of the world we live in.

Keywords

• campus
• novel
• university
• popularity
• humour