从马斯洛需求层次理论分析霍尔顿的矛盾人格_英语论文

The Analysis of Holden’s Ambivalent Personality Based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

摘要

作为美国重要作家，杰罗姆·大卫·塞林格因其被广泛传阅的《麦田里的守望者》而为世人所知。塞林格在这部小说里通过一个十七岁的男孩—霍尔顿的视角生动的描绘了一个青少年在异化的社会中的矛盾心理。这个小说一经发表就广受青少年的追捧，甚至其中的主人公霍尔顿已然成为大多青少年的精神楷模。同时，这部小说也被评论家们所广泛讨论。这篇论文主要尝试运用心理学家马斯洛的需求层次理论来分析霍尔顿的矛盾人格，希望本研究能为该小说的解读提供一个新的视角。本论文由七个部分组成。第一部分简要介绍了赛格林和麦田守望者。第二部分简要介绍了马斯洛的需求层次理论。第三部分分析了霍尔顿的矛盾人格。第四部分，结合需求层次理论分析霍尔顿矛盾人格的根源。第五部分探讨了他为克服心理矛盾所做出的个人努力和成长的顿悟。第六部分将根据作者的私人生活提及塞林格的自我实现。第七部分为论文的结论部分，作者指出是爱，归属感和尊重的缺失导致了霍尔顿的矛盾人格。因此，家庭，学校和社会应当更加重视青少年的成长，爱是成长中最好的养分。

关键词：霍尔顿；矛盾人格；马斯洛需求层次理论 

Abstract

J.D. Salinger is an American writer who is known for his widely read novel, The Catcher in the Rye. In this novel, Salinger vividly depicts an adolescent’s mental turmoil in the alienated society from the view of a seventeen-year-old boy. Since its publication, the novel has been welcomed by the readers. And the protagonist, Holden, has been the spiritual model of the teenagers. Meanwhile, it has also aroused much dispute among critics. In the perspective of Maslow’s theory of need hierarchy, this paper mainly discusses Holden’s ambivalent personality and analyzes the roots of his contradictory character. Moreover, this paper will also analyze Holden’s efforts to overcome his psychological contradictions and achieve the growth of epiphany. Hopefully, this study will provide a new perspective for the interpretation of the novel. 

This paper consists of seven parts. Part one introduces J.D. Salinger and The Catcher in the Rye. Part two presents the major views of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Part three reveals Holden’s ambivalent personality. Part four explores the roots of Holden’s ambivalence. Part five analyses Holden’s efforts to overcome contradiction and achieve epiphany. Part Six touches upon Salinger’s self-actualization based on his private life. Part Seven brings the paper to its conclusion, which also stresses that the family, school and society should pay more attention to teenagers’ growth and love is the best nutrient for adolescent growth.

Keywords: Holden; Ambivalent Personality; Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs 

Contents

1. Introduction .1

2. The Theory of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs .1

3. Holden’s Ambivalent Personality 4

3.1 Holden’s Rebellion.4

3.2 Holden’s Cowardice.  4 

4. Holden’s Unsatisfied Needs. .5

4.1 Holden’s Need for Love and Belonging 5

4.2 Holden’s Need for Respect 7

4.3 Holden’s Need for Self-Actualization. 7

5. Holden’s Efforts to Overcome Self-Contradiction.8

5.1 Seeking Love, Giving Love and Finding Love8

5.2 Being a Protector9

5.3 Holden’s Epiphany 10

6. Salinger’s Self-Actualization11 

Conclusion12

Bibliography.13