《推销员之死》主人公威利·洛曼的自恋型人格分析_英语论文

On the Narcissistic Personality of Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman 

摘要

阿瑟•米勒是当代美国最杰出的剧作家之一。他的代表作《推销员之死》在1949年一上演便取得了巨大成功。随后，阿瑟•米勒凭借这部剧作获得了1949年的普利策奖，纽约戏剧评论奖和安托瓦内特•佩里(托尼)奖。《推销员之死》讲述了一名普通推销员威利·洛曼沉迷于美国梦最终走向毁灭的故事。

根据弗洛伊德的自恋理论，本文旨在分析威利·洛曼的自恋人格，以及这种自恋人格为威利的生活和工作带来的影响。威利的自恋人格主要表现在他沉迷于自己幻想的世界，且为人骄傲自大，充满嫉妒心而又缺乏同情心。威利的自恋人格导致他作为推销员和父亲的双重失败。

关键词: 自恋人格；威利·洛曼；美国梦；推销员；父亲

Abstract

Arthur Miller is considered to be one of the most distinguished contemporary American playwrights. Death of a Salesman received an immediate success after its premiere in 1949. It brought Miller the Pulitzer Prize for Drama as well as the New York Drama Critics Circle Award and the Antoinette Perry (Tony) Award. Death of a Salesman tells the story of an ordinary salesman Willy Loman who was intoxicated with American dream and lost his life for it. 

Based on Freud’s theory on narcissism, this thesis intends to analyze the narcissistic personality of the protagonist Willy and explore its influences on his life and career. Willy’s narcissistic personality is revealed in his world of fantasy, his self-importance and sense of superiority, his strong jealousy and cruel nature, which lead to his failure both as a salesman and as a father. 

Key words: Narcissistic personality  Willy Loman  American dream   salesman  father 

Contents

Acknowledgements I

Abstract II

摘要 III

Chapter One Introduction 1

1.1 Introduction to Arthur Miller 1

1.2 Introduction to Death of a Salesman 1

1.3 Structure of the Thesis 3

Chapter Two Narcissism 4

2.1 Theory of Narcissism 4

2.2 The Characteristics of Narcissistic Personality 5

Chapter Three Manifestation of Willy’s Narcissistic Personality 6

3.1 Willy’s World of Fantasy 6

3.2 Willy’s Self-Importance and Sense of Superiority 7

3.3 Willy’s Strong Jealousy and Cruel Nature 8

Chapter Four Consequences of Willy’s Narcissistic Personality 10

4.1 Failure as a Salesman 10

4.2 Failure as a Father 11

Chapter Five Conclusion 13

References 14