文学伦理学解读《菊花》_英语论文

On The Chrysanthemums From The Perspective Of Ethical Literaty Criticism

摘要

约翰·斯坦贝克是美国著名的小说家，他于1962年获得诺贝尔文学奖。《菊花》是他最著名的短篇小说之一，讲述了居住于萨利纳斯山谷的三十五妇女岁伊莉莎一天的故事，在这一天里她先后经历了满怀信心到伤心绝望。该作品仅仅描述了三位人物之间的故事，却展现了极其丰富多变的伦理内涵。本论文通过文学伦理学批评解读人与人、人与自然之间的伦理关系，探讨当时伦理环境下的伦理选择，以及进一步分析中心人物伊莉莎矛盾的伦理身份，以更深刻地理解复杂多样的人性伦理和作者的写作意图。

关键词：约翰·斯坦贝克；菊花；文学伦理学批评；伦理关系；伦理环境；伦理身份

Abstract

John Steinbeck is a renowned American Novelist who won Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962. The Chrysanthemums is one of his representative short stories, narrating a day of Elisa who is a thirty five-year-old wife. During this day, Elisa experiences from full confidence to hopeless desperation. Although only three figures are involved, the story shows abundant ethical connotation. This paper is based on ethical literary criticism to interpret the ethical relationship between man and man, between man and nature as well as to discuss about the ethical situations and ethical choices. Besides, a further analysis of Elisa’s confusions of ethical identity will contribute to a deeper understanding of complex human nature and Steinbeck’s purpose of writing.

Key Words: John Steinbeck; The Chrysanthemums; ethical literary criticism; ethical relationship; ethical situation; ethical identity

Contents

Acknowledgments

Abstract (Chinese) ·ii

Abstract (English) ·iii

Introduction1

1.1 About the Author1

1.2 The Chrysanthemums and Literature Review·2

1.3 Ethical Literary Criticism·3

Chapter One Ethical Relations of Characters·5

1.1 The Materialized Marriage Bond5

1.2 The Fraudulent Interpersonal Relation·6

1.3 The Diverse Attitudes to Nature·7

Chapter Two Ethical Situation and Ethical Choice·9

2.1 Elisa’s Frustrations in the Male-oriented Society9

2.2 Henry’s Indifference in the Time of Sluggish Economy·10

2.3 The Man’s Fraud in the Society Where Money Talks·10

Chapter Three Elisa’s Confusions of Her Ethical Identity·12

3.1 Substituting Masculinity for Femininity ·12

3.2 Awakening of Femininity13

Conclusion15

Bibliography·17