Understanding Martin Amis

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Understanding Martin Amis By James Diedrick
Presentation by Erik Boone, Josh Miller, and
Marcus Perry
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Thesis Statement
In the midst of imagining both the bureaucracy
and psychology of genocidal evil, it too offers
poetic justice--on a grand historical scale. It
does so by mean s of an audacious variation on
the folk wisdom that just before death
individuals see their entire lives flash before
them.
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Criticism Purpose
The purpose of this criticism is to show the
Martin Amiss disconnect with narrative
normality. Martins awkward and different writing
style makes his narratives different from all
other writers. His style can extend from giving
his narrators a perverse perspective to reversing
the chronological order of their lives. It also
shows how his work influences other sources of
media like art. For example, Spielberg's
representation of Auschwitz in his movie
Schindlers List. Furthermore, Times Arrow is
also similar to Kurt Vonneguts Slaughterhouse
Five in that they both share the same obscene
logic through a gruesome morality.
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Communication and Methods
James debates his issue clearly in hopes of
educating the audience about Amiss writings.
Although the critic uses much evidence to support
his own claim, he also has some opinionated
stances on Amiss writings that are based on the
claims of other critics. Claims that did not
come directly form James's opinion include those
of Frank Dermode and the image of inhumanity, as
well as M. John Harrisons ideas about privacy of
peoples own internal processes. James's dominant
method of persuasion was his factual support for
his claims and the claims of others.
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Summary
James Diedrick writes his literary criticism to
show the unique writings style and ideas of
Martin Amis. Diedrick feels that Times Arrow is
an excellent depiction of the Nazi doctors that
helped during the holocaust. He emphasizes that
doctors of the holocaust can never fully relieve
themselves of the guilt that they attained.
Furthermore, James shows how Amis uses a
grotesque manner in which to express new ideas or
interpretations of a side to humanity that is
evil. Diedrick also shows us were Amis got his
ideas for the writing of Times Arrow such as
Nazi doctors and the writings of Primo Levi.
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Argument Organization
Main Argument Amiss disconnection from the
accepted form of narration. -Amiss almost
perfect depiction of Nazi doctors of the
holocaust. -Readers disorientation of the
sequences of the characters life. -Controversy
with the conscience associated with the power
that all doctors contain. -The grotesque form
of the literature used in Amiss writings.
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Reaction
There is a lot of plot summary and opinionated
viewpoints in the criticism. The criticism also
relates Times Arrow to many other books and
movies. It seems very hard to read and
understand. Although, we found that there were
some argumentative statements.