《典型的美国佬》的意象世界

摘要

任璧莲以江南小镇为《典型的美国佬》的开始，以大雪为结尾，处处设置意象，为读者刻画了一个充满意象的世界。小说如同多棱镜，不同种类的意象如同一面面不同的镜子从不同的角度揭示了美国梦的神话本质。 本文主要通过分析小说中大量的意象，从以下两个方面来论述美国梦的神话本质： 第一、通过自然意象分析拉尔夫的美国梦的破灭来证明美国梦的神话本质。本章根据各自然意象在拉尔夫追梦过程中出现的先后顺序充分地展示了自然意象在揭示主题上的作用。如重复意象云、雨、雪、月亮、星星以及不同颜色的云彩等。还有意象群，如落日余晖、从林夜景、雨中磨难等。这些意象在突出美国梦的神话本质上起到了重要的作用。 第二、通过其它意象来解构美国梦的神话本质。首先，拉尔夫一家的移民生活印证了美国梦自由、平等、机会均等的神话。此处涉及的意象有负荆请罪、青草和房子意象。其次，通过康乃馨、食物和收银机的声音意象来说明了美国梦已经失去了基础。另外，从小说的悲剧基调上，也能看出美国梦的悲剧性。这里涉及到的有红色、黑色、血意象和塞壬意象。最后，作者对美国梦否定、讽刺的态度也从侧面反映了美国梦的神话本质。付出和收获的巨大反差使拉尔夫的人性被扭曲。虽然格列夫靠不择手段获得了金钱，但失去了人性，过着魔鬼般的生活，对他人家庭乃至社会都带来了极大的危害。由此可见美国梦对普通人来讲，尤其是美国族裔已经不再具有现实的意义，它已经成为一个神话。此处涉及的意象有撒旦、二郎神以及泼冷水意象等。 从以上分析可以看出小说中的意象从不同的角度揭示了美国梦的神话本质。通过刻画拉尔夫付出一切却落得近乎家破人亡的悲惨结局，作者对挣扎于现实和欲望之间的人们表达了深深的同情。

目录

文摘

英文文摘

前言

声明

Aclnowledgements

Chapter Ⅰ Introduction

Chapter Ⅱ Nature Image and Ralph's American Dream

A. The Beginning of Ralph's American Dream

1. The American Dream and Ralph's Misinterpretation of It

2. The Sunset and Ralph's Unrealistic American Dream

B. Ralph's Determination to Pursue the American Dream

1. The Myth of the American Dream Indicated through the Recurrent Moon Images

2. Ralph's Choice as Implied by Two Worlds in the Woods

3. The Star Image Reflecting Ralph's Narcissism and Predicting His Final Decision

C. The Pursuit and the Illusion of Ralph's American Dream

1. Ralph's Failure in the Rain Foreshadowing the Illusion of His American Dream

2. Ralph's Obscure and Ambiguous Feelings Imbued with the Gray Sky Image

D. Ralph's Awakening from His American Dream

1. Ralph's Redemption by the Shadow on the Wall

2. The Snow Image-a Symbol of Ralph's Resurrection

3.The Theme and Jen's Intention in the Linear Structure of the Cloud,Rain and Snow Images

Chapter Ⅲ Deconstructing the American Dream through Other Images

A Deconstructing the American Dream from the Lack of Equality and Freedom in the Character's Life

1. Discrimination and Isolation Embodied by the House Image

2. Fujing Qingzui-a Satire to the Equality Promised by the American Dream

3. The Irrational Assimilation Implied by the Grass and Flower Images

4. The American Dream Deconstructed by Theresa's Emotional Life through the Light and Mirror Images

B. The Baselessness of the American Dream

1. The Chicken Palace on a Landfill Symbolizing the Baselessness of the American Dream

2. The Baselessness of the American Dream Indicated by the Carnation Image

3. The Baselessness of the American Dream Suggested by the Food Image

4. The Baselessness of the American Dream Illuminated by Sound Image of Cash Machine

C. The Tragic Tone of the American Dream

1. The Image of Siren's Songs

2. The Red and Dark Color and the Blood Image

D. Jen's Attitudes towards the Pursuit of the American Dream

1. Negative Effect of the Pursuit of the America Dream through the Satan, Dog and Priest Images

2. Jen's Cynical Satire Revealed by Erlang Shen and Po Lengshui Images

Chapter Ⅳ Conclusion

Works Cited

Works Consulted