摘要

   《小妇人》被认为是一本带有自传色彩的美国文学的经典著作，因此本文意在通过对小说文本的分析，研究小说作者奥尔科特的清教主义态度。本文主要涉及两个方面：分析作者奥尔科特对清教主义的矛盾态度以及其产生原因。对于前者，本文将通过阐明《小妇人》中清教思想和超验主义的体现来揭示作者的态度。本文认为小说中人物对上帝的信仰以及他们生活的简朴节制体现了清教主义虔诚宗教信仰、勤俭节欲的观点。同时人物身上追求个性自由、重视精神生活等特点正是超验主义所提倡的。二是产生矛盾态度的原因。本文将从社会背景和作者自身家庭生活背景出发来讨论。

关键词：清教主义；超验主义；矛盾态度；原因

Abstract

Little Women, written by Alcott, is said to be an autobiographical novel. Therefore, this thesis tries to give an analysis of Alcott’s attitude towards Puritanism. This thesis mainly tends to solve two questions: the first one is “what is Alcott’s attitude towards Puritanism”; the second one is “why”. This thesis will reveal Alcott’s attitude by demonstrating the puritanical and Transcendentalist ideas in the novel. On one hand, the Marches have a deeply faith in God and living a less-pleasure life, both of which reflect the Puritanical tenets. One the other hand, transcendentalism can be seen in the Marches’ behavior of trusting in Over-soul, highlighting individuality and pursuing spiritual life. In terms of the reasons for the attitude, the focus will be put on the social background and Alcott’s family background.

Key words: Puritanism; Transcendentalism; attitude; reasons

1. Introduction
Little Women is believed to be an autograph of its author Louisa May Alcott. Thus, by analyzing the puritanical and transcendentalist elements in the novel, this thesis intends to reveals Alcott’s attitude towards Puritanism. This thesis mainly consists of five chapters.
Chapter one Introduction is divided into two sections. Sections one gives a brief introduction of the author and her novel. Some related concepts, such as Puritanism and Transcendentalism are explained in sections two. In chapter two, the thesis will analyze Alcott’s Puritanism tendency in two aspects: the Marches’ faith in God and their less-pleasure life. In chapter three, more attention will be put on Transcendentalism. As Transcendentalism contradicts Puritanism in concept, this thesis will reveal Alcott’s disagreement to Puritanism by discovering the transcendental idea embodied in Jo, Meg and Beth. Then, in chapter four, reasons of the contrary attitude that Alcott holds will be discussed. The last chapter draws a conclusion to the whole thesis.