《了不起的盖茨比》中象征主义运用的分析_英语论文

The Application of Symbolism in The Great Gatsby

摘要

《了不起的盖茨比》是二十世纪美国著名作家弗朗西斯·斯科特·菲茨杰拉德最杰出的著作之一，在美国文学史上占有重要地位。作者菲茨杰拉德在小说中运用了大量的象征主义手法来帮助展开故事情节，塑造人物性格，表现思想感情，表达小说的主题。本文以象征主义手法为切入点，分析小说中相关意象的象征主义意涵，并探析小说的主题。

本文首先简介论文的研究背景、意义，及研究问题。在文献综述中，介绍象征主义的定义，概述前人对《了不起的盖茨比》中象征主义相关问题的研究。其次，具体分析小说在颜色、地点、天气与人物方面运用的象征主义手法，探讨上述意象的象征主义意涵。最后，概括小说中象征主义手法的功用，探析它与小说主题之间的关系。

基于以上分析，本文得出以下结论：《了不起的盖茨比》中颜色、地点、天气与人物意象具有鲜明的象征主义意涵，形象地反映了当时的美国社会现实及其时代精神，即人们盲目追求美国梦时的迷惘与无助，有力的突出了美国年轻一代对美国梦的盲目追求注定要破灭的作品主题。

关键词：了不起的盖茨比， 象征主义；

Abstract

The Great Gatsby is one of the greatest novels of Francis Scott Fitzgerald which is a famous American writer in 20th century, and it has an important status in America literary history. In this novel, the author Fitzgerald use symbolism to help extend the plot, make up the characters, express the emotion and express the theme. This thesis analyzes symbolic meanings of related images from the aspect of symbolism, and explores the theme of the novel.

Firstly, this thesis briefly introduces the background, significance and research questions of the study. Then, the literature review introduces the definition of symbolism, and summarizes the previous studies about symbolism in the Great Gatsby. In the thirdly chapter, the thesis analyzes the use of symbolism in colors, locality, weather and characters, and also discusses further meaning of these symbols. At last, the thesis summarizes the function of symbolism in the novel, and explores the relation between the use of symbolism and the theme of the novel.

Based on the overall analysis, it can be concluded that colors, locality, weather and characters in the Great Gatsby have obvious symbolic meanings, and vividly reflect the American society and the spirit at that time, which is the lost and helpless of people when chasing for the American Dream blindly. What is more, these symbolic images powerfully express the theme of the novel that the American Dream would be disillusioned if younger generation in America pursuit it blindly.

Keywords: the Great Gatsby, symbolism

Contents

摘 要 3

Abstract 4

Acknowledgements 5

Chapter One  Introduction 2

1.1 Background and significance of this thesis 2

1.2 Research questions 3

1.3 Method of the study 4

1.4 Structure of this thesis 4

Chapter Two  Literature Review 5

2.1 The definition of symbolism 5

2.2 Previous studies about symbolism in the Great Gatsby 6

Chapter Three  Symbolism in the Great Gatsby 8

3.1 The use of symbolism in colors 8

3.2 The use of symbolism in locality 10

3.3 The use of symbolism in weather 12

3.4 The use of symbolism in characters 14

3.5 Summary 17

Chapter Four  Significance of symbolism in the Great Gatsby 18

4.1 The function of symbolism in the Great Gatsby 18

4.2 The contribution to the expression of the theme 20

4.3 Summary 22

Chapter Five  Conclusion 23

5.1 Major findings 23

5.2 Limitations and suggestions 23

Works Cited 25