The Projection of Nietzsche’s Superman Theory in Short Story “The Mexican”
Abstract
American writer Jack London has deeply influenced by several philosophers, of whom, Karl Marx’s and Friedrich Nietzsche’s influence is most evident. Many researchers have pointed out that Jack London’s novels such as Call of the Wild and Martin Eden have been affected by Nietzsche’s philosophy, especially the superman theory. London himself, however, once announced that he is tired of Nietzsche’s superman theory. Superman theory is a significant part of Nietzsche’s philosophy, which is inextricably linked with the will to power and self-overcoming.
This thesis chooses London’s famous short story “The Mexican”, which few previous researchers have studied before, aiming at proving that the short story is the projection of Nietzsche’s superman theory. The thesis is divided into three parts. First, it gives a brief introduction to Nietzsche’s superman theory and the will to power, including their definitions, features and relationship. Then it analyzes the words, expressions, thoughts and actions of the protagonist of the story in the light of superman theory and the will to power. At last, this thesis reaches a conclusion that “The Mexican” represents Nietzsche’s superman theory in that the protagonist, Felipe Rivera, has transformed himself wholly into a superman in the end. 
Key words: Jack London, The Mexican, Nietzsche, superman theory, will to power,
摘        要
杰克•伦敦是美国著名的现实主义作家，他的作品被认为受到许多哲学思想的影响，其中马克思和尼采对他的影响最为深厚。许多学者指出其作品《野性的呼唤》《马丁•伊登》是尼采超人理念影响的例证，然而伦敦本人曾宣称对超人理念持反对的态度。超人理念是尼采哲学中的重要部分，尼采认为超人是生活中的强者，是最具有旺盛创造力的人，是最能体现生命意志的人，其具有不同于传统流行的道德的一种全新的道德。它与权力意志和自我超越相辅相成，密不可分。
本文试图通过分析杰克•伦敦短篇小说“墨西哥人”中主人公的成长与发展，论证小说反映了尼采的超人理念。文章首先简单阐述了尼采哲学中“超人”和“权力意志”的概念、特征及关系，其次联系小说“墨西哥人”，具体对主人公菲利普•利维拉的人物性格、表情、心理、语言等进行分析，观察人物的成长与发展，同时对照超人理念以及权力意志的定义和特点，判断其是否成为超人。本文认为杰克•伦敦的“墨西哥人”是尼采超人理念的体现，主人公利维拉最后通过其强大的权力意志促使自身不断完成自我超越而最终成为超人。
关键词：杰克•伦敦，墨西哥人，尼采，超人理念，权力意志