唐·德里罗小说《坠落的人》中的创伤与救赎_英语论文

Trauma and Redemption in Falling Man by Don DeLillo

摘要

《坠落的人》是由后现代主义文学的中心人物唐·德里罗在2007年所著。在该作品中，唐·德里罗形象地刻画了“9·11”恐怖袭击事件给美国人民带来的创伤，揭示了恐怖主义在现代文明社会造成的深刻悲痛，对幸存者及其家人的创伤体验进行了冷静的审视和剖析并予以慰藉。本书揭示了唐·德里罗身处后现代社会对于人的生存以及心理状态的关注与见解。

以《坠落的人》为代表的一系列“9·11”文学作品，在展现重大历史事件、表征精神创伤，显示给美国人带来巨大冲击等方面做出了巨大贡献，代表了美国文学对于恐怖袭击事件的感受与反思。在该部作品中，德里罗不是简单的再现恐怖袭击的场景，而是通过刻画心理创伤以及文中几个人物寻求救赎的过程来表达他对于恐怖主义带来的创伤的关注。本文尝试从该作品中“9•11”恐怖袭击事件所导致的深刻创伤及其隐藏背后的伦理道德和信仰危机，以及该作品予以人救赎的层面解读这部小说的主题。

关键词：唐·德里罗；《坠落的人》；创伤；救赎

Abstract

Falling Man was written in 2007 by Don DeLillo, who is one of the most important figures of postmodernist writer. In this work, Don DeLillo portrays the trauma of the 9/11-the World Trade Center terrorist attack brought to the United States, and reveals the deep sorrow of terrorism brought to the modern civilized society, he not only calmly examines and analyzes the traumatic experiences of survivors and their families but also comforts them. It reveals his concern and opinion on living and psychological condition of people in the post modern society. 

The literature of 9/11 represented by Falling Man have made great contributions to the major historical events, the representation of mental trauma and the great impact on the American people. It represents the feelings and reflections of American literature on the terrorist attacks. In this novel, DeLillo is not simply by reproducing the terrorist attack scene, but by depicting psychological trauma and a few characters’ process of seeking salvation to express his concern for the trauma of terrorism. This thesis is designed to interpret the traumatic and redemptive theme of the novel from the profound trauma and the moral and religious crisis hidden behind the terrorist attacks.

Key words: Don DeLillo, Falling Man, trauma, redemption

Contents

Acknowledgements i

Abstract ii

摘要 iii

Introduction 1

Chapter One Trauma in Falling Man 5

1.1 Physical Trauma 5

1.2 Spiritual Trauma 6

1.3 Self-Destruction 7

Chapter Two Recovery From The Trauma 10

2.1 Keith’s Traumatic Disorientation 10

2.2 Justin’s Positive Approach 13

2.3 Lianne’s Traumatic Struggling 14

Chapter Three Enlightenment and Practical Significance in Falling Man 18

3.1 Faith Crisis 18

3.2 Religious Revival 19

3.3 The Possibility of Redemption 21

Conclusion 24

Works Cited 25