An Analysis of the Symbols in Dry September_英语论文

摘要

作为美国著名小说家威廉.福克纳的一篇经典小说，《干旱的九月》讲述了一起由于一位白人女性散布谣言导致一伙白人男性杀死黑人的凶杀案。象征手法的运用不但向读者展现旧南方社会不同阶层人面临精神危机以及美国旧南方社会面临瓦解的主题，而且为读者呈现一篇精彩的文学佳作。本文试图从标题，自然物和实物方面分析小说中的象征物。最后通过揭露旧南方社会的衰落的问题，作者试图唤醒读者意识到战后南方社会充满犯罪和冲突。

关键词：威廉福克纳；《干旱的九月》；象征；美国旧南方

Abstract

Dry September, the classic short story written by the famous American novelist William Faulkner, depicts a murder case of white men killing a black man, which is rumored by a white woman. The story, with the employment of various symbols, not only expresses us a scene of different classes facing spiritual crisis in the Old South in America and the theme of decay of old southern America, but also presents us an excellent piece of works of art. This thesis attempts to analyze the symbols presented in the story from the perspective of the title, the natural and the physical objects and ends with the conclusion that by disclosing the decay of the old southern society, the author seeks to arouse readers’ awareness of the southern society filled with crimes and conflicts after the war. 

Key words: William Faulkner, Dry September, symbol, old southern America

Contents

1.Introduction1

2.Demonstration2

2.1.The title Dry September as the symbol3

2.2. Natural symbols.4

2.2.1.The dust—crime4

2.2.2.The moon—hope.5

2.3.Physical symbols7 

2.3.1.Miss Cooper’s new voile—decay of the myth of southern lady.7

2.3.2.Will Mayes’ ice plant—purification9

2.3.3.McLendon’s pistol—overt violence11

2.3.4.Hawk’s razor—instinctive violence13

3.Conclusion14

Works Cited16

Bibliography.17