《贵妇人画像》的空间叙事解读_英语论文

An Interpretation of The Portrait of a Lady from the Perspective of Spatial Narrative 

摘要

亨利·詹姆斯被认为是19世纪现实主义文学的代表人物之一。他一生著述丰厚，著有22部长篇小说，113部短篇小说，以及10多部文学评论书籍。《贵妇人画像》采用了空间叙事理论，被认为是他最优秀的作品之一。这部小说出版后，他成为欧洲最著名的作家之一。小说讲述了一个年轻无辜的美国女孩的成长和成熟过程。女孩盲目热爱欧洲文化，被两个欧化的美国人欺骗而落入婚姻的陷阱。

大多数评论家都对伊莎贝尔的人格、心理行为倾向、居住环境、婚姻悲剧和追求自由进行了研究，但鲜有学者对小说中的“空间”因素进行研究。所以本文将从空间叙事方面入手，对小说进行详细分析，探讨作者是如何运用这种写作技巧来突出主题的。

这篇文章分为四个部分。 第一章简要介绍了亨利·詹姆斯、《贵妇人画像》及文献综述。第二章解释了空间叙事的定义,发展历程和特征。第三章通过分析三种空间形式对伊莎贝尔成长过程产生的不同影响，探讨了小说对空间叙事理论的应用。第四章是结论，是对全文主题的总结。

关键词: 亨利·詹姆斯；《贵妇人画像》；空间叙事

Abstract

Henry James is known as one of the representatives of 19th-century literary realism. As a prolific writer, he wrote 22 novels, 113 short stories and more than 10 books of literary criticism. The Portrait of a Lady, which adopts the theory of spatial narrative, is considered the best one of his works. The publication of this novel makes him one of the most famous writers in Europe. The novel tells a story about the process of growth and maturity of a young and innocent American girl, who appreciates European culture blindly, is deceived by two Europeanized Americans and falls into a marriage trap.

Many critics have studied the international theme of the novel, Isabel’s personality, psychology behavior disposition, dwelling environment, tragic marriage and pursuit of liberty, whereas few scholars have done research on the “space” factor hidden in the novel. This thesis will make a detailed analysis of the novel from the aspect of spatial narrative, exploring how the author highlights the theme with a deft application of the writing skill. 

This thesis is divided into four chapters. Chapter one gives a brief introduction to Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady and literature review. Chapter Two explains the definition, development and features of spatial narrative. Chapter Three focuses on how spatial narrative is applied in this novel through analyzing the consequences of three different space forms on the growth of Isabel. Chapter four is conclusion, summarizing the main points of the thesis.

Keywords:  Henry James  The Portrait of a Lady  spatial narrative        

Contents

Acknowledgements I

Abstract II

摘要 III

Chapter One Introduction 1

1.1 Introduction to Henry James 1

1.2 Introduction to The Portrait of a Lady 1

1.3 Literature Review 2

Chapter Two Spatial Narrative 4

2.1 Definition and Development of Spatial Narrative 4

2.2 Features of Spatial Narrative 5

Chapter Three Spatial Narrative in The Portrait of a Lady 7

3.1 The Geological Space Witnessing Isabel’s Growth 7

3.1.1 America 7

3.1.2 Britain 8

3.1.3 Italy 8

3.2 The Social Space Forcing Isabel to Grow 9

3.2.1 Collision of Two Different Cultures 9

3.2.2 Dealing with Interpersonal Relationships 10

3.3 The Perceptual Space Revealing Isabel’s Growth 11

3.3.1 The Naïve and Innocent Period 11

3.3.2 The Quest for Self-consciousness 12

3.3.3 The Awakening of Self-consciousness 12

Chapter Four Conclusion 14

References 15