《裸者与死者》中人性冲突主题探析_英语论文

On the Conflict in Human Nature in The Naked and the Dead

摘要

诺曼·梅勒，作为反对霸权主义的重要人物，被视为二战以后“美国最伟大的当代作家”之一。 1948年，梅勒的第一部小说《裸者与死者》在世界范围内为他赢得了巨大的荣誉，并被称为战后美国文学的代表作之一。

《裸者与死者》讲述了发生在被日军占领的虚构小岛安诺波佩岛上的故事。小说描述了恐怖的军队生活，也侧面反映了社会生活对美国人的威胁和压迫。

本文主要分析小说中的人性冲突主题，即人物内心人性与兽性的冲突，并探讨导致冲突产生的原因。小说《裸者与死者》中的真正冲突不是美军与日军之间的战争冲突，而是人们内心的人性和兽性之间的冲突。欲望的驱使和恶劣战争环境的影响剥夺了人们内心的人性和理性。希望通过本课题，读者可以更好地理解这部名著及其主题。

关键词: 冲突；人性；《裸者与死者》；人物

Abstract

Norman Mailer, an important figure against hegemony, is regarded as one of the greatest contemporary writers in the United States after World War II. In 1948, Mailer won the great honor in the literary world for his first novel The Naked and the Dead, which became known as an important representative of the post-war American literature.

The Naked and the Dead tells a story taking place on Anopopei, a fictitious island, which is controlled by the Japanese army. Norman Mailer depicts the bloodcurdling life in army which reflects the threats and oppression of social life to Americans.

The thesis will analyze the conflict in the human nature, namely the conflict between humanity and bestiality in the characters and explore the possible reasons for their inner conflict. The real conflict in The Naked and the Dead is not the battle between Japanese army and American army, but the conflict between bestiality and humanity in human nature. It is the desire for power and the influence of the harsh war environment that deprive people of humanity and rationality. It is hoped that through this thesis readers can have a better understanding about the text and the theme.

Key words:  Conflict  human nature  The Naked and the Dead  characters

Contents

Acknowledgements I

Abstract II

摘要 III

Chapter One Introduction 1

1.1 Introduction to Norman Mailer and His Works 1

1.2 Introduction to The Naked and the Dead 1

1.3 Structure of the Thesis 2

Chapter Two Human Nature 4

Chapter Three Conflict between Bestiality and Humanity in the Characters 6

3.1 Majors Characters 6

3.1.1 General Cummings 6

3.1.2 Sergeant Croft 7

3.1.3 Lieutenant Hearn 8

3.2 Conflict between Bestiality and Humanity in Minor Characters 9

Chapter Four Reasons for Conflict in the Human Nature 11

4.1 Internal Cause—The Desire 11

4.2 External Cause—The War 12

Chapter Five Conclusion 14

References 15