Abstract

The title of movie Babel comes from the Biblical allusion “Tower of Babel”. It’s a metaphor for communication problems. This thesis tries to interpret the “Babel” phenomena in the movie. Firstly, by analyzing the conflicts among several groups of characters, the thesis reveals some typical communication barriers which may trigger discords or even tragedies in the modern society. This is the “collapsed Babel”. Secondly, by analyzing the characters’ final reconciliation and the regain of harmony after strenuous efforts to communicate, it reveals the possibility of spiritual communication. This is the “reconstructed Babel”. Finally, in view of  the universality and severity of communication problems as have been demonstrated, this thesis calls for more tolerance, love and care，but less prejudice and discrimination between individuals and different cultures.

Key words: Babel, communication barrier, collapsed Babel, reconstructed Babel, harmonious relationship

摘要

电影“巴别塔”的片名源于圣经典故，喻指交流与沟通中出现的问题。本文对影片中“巴别塔”现象作了深刻的探讨。首先，通过分析片中几组人物身上的矛盾冲突，揭示了当今社会中一些典型的沟通障碍。它们导致了不和乃至悲剧， 是“崩塌的巴别塔”。其次，通过分析片中人物在危机中努力寻求沟通、理解并重建交流的举动，表达了心灵沟通的可能性，这是“重建的巴别塔”。最后，鉴于当今社会交流问题的普遍性与严重性，本文认为，不同文化与个体之间应该摒弃偏见与隔阂，奉献更多的宽容和关爱。

关键词：巴别塔；崩塌的巴别塔；重建的巴别塔；和谐人际关系

1. Introduction
The word “Babel” means confusion in Hebrew. It originates from the Biblical allusion “Tower of Babel” and then becomes the metaphor for human miscommunication and a symbol of human isolation.
Nowadays, as highly developed modern industrial civilization has created unprecedented material wealth, people are able to use cell phone, internet, etc., to communicate with each other. An optimistic view of globalism is suggested by Marshall McLuhan’s of “the Global Village”. This view suggests that globalization will lead to a world where people from all countries will become more integrated and aware of common interests and shared humanity. (Roger 2009) However, contrary to the increasing means of communication, the distances between individuals, individual and society become larger. We can see so many “collapsed Babel” here and there. In family life，the rising divorce rate and the gap between parents and children have become common in modern life. And on the international front, the intercultural misunderstanding and racial discrimination still exist in our society. Therefore, communication problems in modern society become more noticeable.