On the Escapism in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn_英语论文

摘要

马克· 吐温是美国著名作家之一，被称为“美国文学界的林肯”。《哈克贝利·芬历险记》是马克· 吐温的代表作，也是一部世界经典名著。《哈克贝利·芬历险记》以十九世纪七十年代（南北战争后）的美国为背景，讲述了主人公哈克逃离家乡后沿密西西比河一路历险的故事。小说通过塑造以哈克为代表的逃避者形象，揭示了全书的逃避主题。

本文从逃避主题的角度对小说《哈克贝利·芬历险记》进行深度研究，由三部分组成。“逃避主义”是美国文学的典型主题，同时具有鲜明的时代背景。本论文第一部分介绍逃避主题在美国文学中的历史背景、逃避主义的隐含意义、逃避主义代表性作品以及体现。第二部分对《哈克贝利·芬历险记》的逃避主题展开分析，重点讨论小说主人公哈克出走的根本原因和成长的过程，暗示成长环境对于孩子成长的重要意义。还对密西西比河这一重要意象加以分析，反映了当时美国社会中种族矛盾、道德危机和生存困境等问题。第三部分结合时代背景，分析哈克逃避的意义，指出哈克对自由的追求正是作者内心的诉求，也是极具代表性的美国精神。 

关键词：《哈克贝利·芬历险记》 逃避 逃避主义

Abstract

Mark Twain is one of the most prominent American writers who is also reputed as “the Lincoln of American literature.” The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is not only a Mark Twain’s masterpiece but also a remarkable book throughout the world. Set in 1970s after the Civil War, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn mainly depicts the story of Huckleberry’s adventures. Huck, the hero of the story, drifts on a raft down the Mississippi River with his friend Jim after escaping from his home. The novel presents the main theme of escapism though describing the typical image Huck, a typical representative escapist in that era. 

The thesis will analyze the novel from the perspective of escapism. This thesis is made up of three parts. Escapism is one of common themes of American literature and has specific historical background. Chapter One introduces the historical background of escapism, the implication of escapism and representative works of escapism in American literature, which familiarizes us the concept of escapism. It makes the reader have a good idea of implication of escapism in different contexts.  Chapter Two analyzes escape theme in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn though the experience of Huckleberry’s escape, involving his causes of escaping and process of becoming mature, which indicates the great importance of growing environment for a child. This part also focuses on the significance of Mississippi River which marks the nature to treat a series of problems in society in that era: racial conflicts, morality crisis and the survival predicaments in America. Chapter Three analyzes the meaning of escape though associating historical context in that era, which implies that the Huck’s aspiration of freedom is the inner pursuit of the author. Meanwhile, the spirit of escape marks the Americanism typically. 

Key Words: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; Escape; Escapism 

Contents

1  Introduction 1

2  Escapism in American Context 4

2.1 Historical Background of Escapism 4

2.2 Implications of Escapism 5

2.3 Escapism Represented in American Literature 6

3  Escapism in The Huckleberry Finn 9

3.1 Huckleberry’s Escape 9

3.1.1 Escape from the Widow Douglas 9

3.1.2 Escape from Ruthless Father 10

3.1.3 Escape from Inner Loneliness 11

3.2 Symbolic Meanings of Mississippi River 12

3.2.1 The Place of Escape 12

3.2.2 In Pursuit of Freedom 12

3.2.3 Return to Nature 13

4  The Significance of Escape in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn 14

5  Conclusion 16

Bibliography 18

Acknowledgments 20