摘要 

本文以19世纪美国最伟大的小说家、散文家和诗人之一的赫尔曼·梅尔维尔的海洋小说《白鲸》为例，以象征主义理论视角为切入点探究该小说中船长亚哈、大白鲸以及船这三大意象所蕴含的象征意义，从中挖掘作者在创作这些意象背后的深层次含义以及折射出来的时代精神。本文主要探讨小说意象的象征意义是什么、小说中是如何体现象征主义的运用以及小说背后所隐藏的深刻含义。鉴于国内外对象征主义以及小说《白鲸》的研究，本文得出的结论是作者在创作的过程中，将时代背景融入意象之中，折射出美国社会之中的争斗仇视的性格特质以及人与自然之间的对抗。其中船长亚哈的角色推动着整个故事的开展，他是美国社会主流意识形态的象征。他与大白鲸莫比之间的矛盾也展现出整个故事的核心—人与自然的对抗。小说结局是两败俱伤，船长亚哈与白鲸莫比之间的殊死搏斗造成了鱼死人亡的结果，也暗含了作者的寓意：人与自然要和谐生存，否则自然必会对人类的恶行予以裁决。

关键词：《白鲸》；象征主义；人与自然 

Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction 1

1.1 Research Background of the Thesis 1

1.2 Structure of the Thesis 1

Chapter 2 Literature Review 3

2.1 Previous Studies on Moby Dick at Home 3

2.2 Previous Studies on Moby Dick Abroad 3

Chapter 3 Theoretical Framework 5

3.1 An Introduction to Symbolism 5

3.1.1 The Historical Origin of Symbolism 5

3.1.2 The Functions of Symbolism 5

3.1.3 The Features of Symbolism 6

3.2 Previous Studies on Symbolism 6

3.2.1 Previous Studies on Symbolism at Home 7

3.2.2 Previous Studies on Symbolism Abroad 7

3.2.3 The Innovation of This Thesis in the Use of Symbolism 8

Chapter 4 A Study on Moby Dick from Symbolism 9

4.1 An Analysis of Major Symbols in Moby Dick 9

4.1.1 An Analysis of the Symbol White Whale 9

4.1.2 An Analysis of the Symbol Ship 10

4.1.3 An Analysis of the Symbol Captain Ahab 10

4.2 Exploration on the Uses of Symbolism in Moby Dick 10

4.2.1 Exploration on the Symbolic Meaning and Spirit of White Whale 10

4.2.2 Exploration on the Symbolic Meaning and Spirit of the Ship 11

4.2.3 Exploration on the Symbolic Meaning and Spirit of Captain Ahab 11

4.3 Reflection on Symbols White Whale, the Ship and Captain Ahab 12

4.4 Exploration on the Relationship Between Man and Nature 12

Chapter 5 Conclusion 13

5.1 Research Findings of the Research 13

5.2 Suggestions for Future Research 13

References 15

Acknowledgements 17