《魔桶》的现实主义特征_英语论文

Realism In The Magic Barrel

摘要

小说《魔桶》是当代美国著名犹太作家伯纳德•马拉默德的代表作品，作品深刻诠释了主人公利奥的精神成长过程。列奥是一名犹太男青年，在结束了六年的学习生涯后将被任命为牧师，听信熟人的建议由媒人萨尔兹曼的介绍对象，然而媒人萨尔兹曼在说媒时看中了列奥，名义上帮他撮合亲事，实则在把自己的女儿介绍给列奥的故事。

本论文共分为三个部分，从现实主义文学的角度来探讨小说的描写手法。第一部分介绍作者马拉默德的生平概况以及重要作品，概述《魔桶》及其背景；第二部分从三个方面论述《魔桶》中的现实主义：首先,是形象的典型性。文中列奥、萨尔兹曼等主人公是被真实地再现的典型环境中的典型人物；其次，是环境的典型性。主人公列奥的生活轨迹展现了1930年代生活在美国的年轻犹太人的生活变化；最后，是细节的客观性，从作品中主人公的衣着和两性关系自然地体现出人物的心理变化和成长过程。

关键字：魔桶;典型形象; 真实背景; 客观细节

Abstract

The Magic Barrel is a well-known Jewish-American work written by Bernard Malamud, which profoundly interprets the hero Leo's spiritual growth. Leo is a Jewish young man. After six years of study, he would be appointed to the priest. An acquaintance advises him to get married in order to win the trust of the Christians. The matchmaker introduces several females to Leo, but nearly all the women are unsatisfying. After listening to acquaintances’ proposal, he decides to meet a matchmaker. Salzman, the matchmaker, in the name of helping Leo, introduced his daughter to Leo.

This paper is divided into three parts, analyzing the short story from the perspective of realism. The first part introduces the author Malamud's biography and important works, the plot of the story and its background; the second part discusses the realism in The Magic Barrel from three aspects: Firstly, the typical image. Salzman and Leo are the real reproduction of the typical environment of the characters. Secondly, the authenticity of the social situation in the work. The protagonist Leo shows the life of the young Jews’ emotional change in the 1930s. Thirdly, the faithful details. From the clothes and gender relationship, we can see the character’s psychological change and growing process.

Key Words: The Magic Barrel; typical character; authentic background; faithful details

Contents

Acknowledgments i

Abstract in Chinese ii

Abstract in English iii

Introduction 1

Chapter One Realistic Characterization 5

1.1 Traditional Identity of Leo 5

1.2 Double Identity of Salzman 6

Chapter Two Representation of Social Background 7

2.1 America in the 1930s 7

2.2 leo’s Jewishness 8

Chapter Three Details Faithful to Life 10

3.1The Color of Dressing 10

3.2 Gender Relationship 11

Conclusion 12

Bibliography 13