论《鲁滨逊漂流记》中的个人主义_英语论文

An Analysis on the Individualism in Robinson Crusoe

摘要

笛福是英国启蒙时期（17世纪-18世纪）现实主义丰富小说的奠基人，他的代表作品《鲁滨逊漂流记》是他第一部个人自传体小说。在这部小说中，作者第一次确立了自我与个人的重要地位，表现了主人公鲁滨逊身上明显的个人主义特征。本论文将具体从几个方面分析其中的个人主义思想。本文由以下七部分组成。引言部分简单介绍了作者笛福，小说《鲁滨逊漂流记》以及本论文的研究方法、研究内容及研究意义。第二部分介绍了中西方对个人主义的定义、个人主义的发展以及本人在这些定义基础上对个人主义提出的新定义。第三部分是关于本论点的文献综述。第四部分则是从对个人权利和自由的追求、自我治理、自力更生和自我创造、自我提高、以自我为中心并不断追求个人利益这五个方面分析个人主义在《鲁滨逊漂流记》中的具体表现。第五部分则是分别从资本主义的快速发展和清教主义两个角度分析《鲁滨逊漂流记》中个人主义产生的原因。第六部分阐述了《鲁滨逊漂流记》中个人主义对当时社会以及当前社会的意义与影响。最后部分得出结论，个人主义对社会和资本主义的发展起着重要的作用，不应忽视这部作品中的个人主义以及其对资本主义发展的影响。

关键词：《鲁滨逊漂流记》；个人主义；根源；资本主义；清教主义 

Abstract 

Defoe was the founder of realistic novels during the British Enlightenment period (17th-18th). His masterpiece Robinson Crusoe was his first personal autobiography. In this novel, the author established the important status of individuals for the first time, showing the obvious characteristics of individualism of the protagonist Robinson. This thesis will analyze the individualism embodied in this novel from several aspects. This paper consists of the following seven parts. The introduction part is a brief introduction of the author Defoe, the novel Robinson Crusoe, this thesis’ research methods, main contents and purposes. The second part introduces different definitions of individualism, the development of individualism and my new definition of individualism which is put forward on the basis of the former definitions. The third part is the literature review of this thesis’ topic. The fourth part discusses about the specific embodiment of individualism in this novel from five aspects: pursuit for individual rights and freedom, self-management, self-reliance and self creation, self improvement, self centeredness and constant pursuit of personal interests. The fifth part analyzes the causes of individualism in Robinson Crusoe from these two sides: the rapid development of capitalism and the influence of Puritanism. The sixth part elaborates the significance and influence of individualism in Robinson Crusoe to the society at that time and nowadays. At last, the conclusion part points out that the individualism is well reflected in Robinson Crusoe. What’s more, individualism plays an important role in the development of society as well as the capitalism and shouldn’t be neglected.

Key words: Robinson Crusoe; individualism; origins; capitalism; Puritanism

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Introduction of Individualism 3

2.1 Definition and Meaning of Individualism 3

2.2 Development and Influence of Individualism 4

3. Literature Review 5

4. The Specific Embodiment of Individualism in Robinson Crusoe 7

4.1 Pursuit for Individual Rights and Freedom 7

4.1.1 Robinson’s Choice of Going Sailing 7

4.1.2 Robinson’s Permission to the Rights and Freedom of his Subjects 7

4.2 Self-management 7

4.3Self-reliance and Self-creation 7

4.4 Self-improvement 8

4.4.1The Change of Robinson’s Social Status- from a Labor to a Governor 8

4.4.2 The Change of Robinson’s Religion Beliefs-from an Atheist to a Christian 9

4.4.3 The Change of Robinson’s State of Mind 9

4.4.4 The Change of Robinson’s Social Identities 10

4.5 Self-centeredness and the Constant Pursuit for Self-interest 10

5. The Causes and Origins of the Individualism in Robinson Crusoe 12

5.1The Rapid Development of Capitalism 12

5.2The Influence of Puritanism 12

6. Social Influence and Significance of Individualism in Robinson Crusoe 15

7. Conclusion 16

References 17