Conditions of a Solitary Bird

Conditions of a Solitary Bird is a "total critical" examination of the works of Carlos Castaneda; The Teachings of Don Juan, A Separate Reality, Journey to Ixtlan, and Tales of Power. This mode of analysis is based on Professor Robert Reid III's Ph.D. dissertation contention that works of literature, instead of being analyzed from a single perspective should be examined from several perspectives to insure a more encompassing evaluation of a work's literary merits. Gordon uses Professor Reid's thesis as a starting point for this study, and has, therefore, divided this paper into chapter sections with each section dealing with a separate aspect of the Castaneda works. Within this framework he is able to interrelate the individual sections not only to one another but each section to three overriding assumptions that I have made about the works in question. The first assumption is that the Castaneda books are literature (whether they are factual accounts, as the author contends or fictional works as many believe). The second assumption is that these books are worthy of study from all the perspectives, including the total critical perspective. Third, it is assumed that the four books, although enjoyable as units each unto themselves, should be read together as a total unit to grasp these works' full impact. This study led Gordon to the conclusions that these three assumptions are facts and the importance of this study therefore is derived as much from the process itself (the total critical analytic process) as from the results of inquiry.