分析《父亲的眼泪》中的异托邦空间_英语论文

An Analysis of Heterotopias in “My Father’s Tears”

摘要

美国知名作家约翰·厄普代克所创作的短文《父亲的眼泪》，短小精悍，意味深长。从意义层面而言，短文通过对几个人生重要节点的叙述，剖析了人的精神世界和人自身与外界的各种联系。从其展现形式而言，故事中的三个地方具有福柯所提出的异托邦的特质，厄普代克对空间的把握和安排令人惊喜。本文详细分析了故事中的异质空间并剖析其功能。此外，本文探讨了厄普代克的空间设计初衷，与其所处时代背景，文学追求和创作理念密不可分。最后，本文强调了从空间角度解读文本的重要意义。

关键词：约翰·厄普代克；异托邦；空间；联系

Abstract 

“My Father’s Tears”, as one of the best short stories composed by John Updike, containing limitless profound meanings in its limited length. From the perspective of its meaning, the story explores human’s inner world as well as the relation with the outside world in the narration of several critical junctures in life. In form, the arrangement of spaces in the story is impressive, as there are three places own the traits of heterotopia that put forward by Michel Foucault. This thesis analyses the heterotopias in this short story, as they function a lot in the story both in theme and in form. Moreover, this thesis helps to explore the reasons of John Updike’s inclination in setting heterotopias. Updike’s arrangement of spaces indeed reflects his philosophy of composition and pursuit in literature that closely related with the social background. Finally, this thesis emphasizes the importance of spatial perspective in interpreting literary works.

Keywords: John Updike; heterotopias; space; relation

Contents

1 Introduction 1

1.1 Literature Review 1

1.2 Background and Significance 1

1.3 Structure of the paper 2

2. Heterotopias 4

2.1 Understanding Heterotopias 4

2.2 Studies on Analyzing Heterotopias in Literary Works 4

3. Heterotopias in “My Father’s Tears” 6

3.1 Multiple veils of Alton station 6

3.2 The abandoned farmhouse in Vermont as a heterotopia 7

3.3 Jim’s hometown in Pennsylvania as a heterotopia 9

4. Reasons of Heterotopias in “My Father’s Tears” 11

4.1 John Updike’s philosophy of composition 11

4.2 Related Social Background of John Updike’s Time 11

Chapter 5 Conclusion 13

5.1 A Summary of This Essay 13

5.2 The Value of the Research 13

References 14