爵士时代的挽歌-盖茨比的悲剧命运解读_英语论文

The Elegy of the Jazz Age —An Analysis of Gatsby's Tragic Fate

摘要

根据马克思的理论，任何发生在某特定社会背景下的悲剧，都具有一定的必然性。此外，悲剧也具有美学价值，能够引发人们对悲剧人物的思考以及人生的探讨。作为美国文学史上不可多得的经典之作，《了不起的盖茨比》生动地刻画了爵士时代小人物—盖茨比的人生悲剧，具有重大的研究价值。本论文拟以马克思主义的美学悲剧理论作为理论框架，深入探讨盖茨比悲剧的必然因素，并对这一悲剧的美学价值进行剖析。

关键词：马克思的悲剧美学理论；盖茨比；悲剧；必然因素；美学价值

Abstract

According to Marx, any tragic event taking place in a specific social environment is inevitable to a certain extent. Additionally, tragedy itself also has certain aesthetic value and can arouse people’s reflection upon the tragic characters as well as their exploration for life. Regarded as a rare classic work in American literature, The Great Gatsby depicts vividly the tragedy of a pipsqueak of the Jazz Age. Taking Marxist aesthetic theory of tragedy as the theoretical basis, this paper is going to probe into the unavoidable causes of Gatsby’s tragedy and analyze its aesthetic value.

Keywords: Marxist aesthetic theory of tragedy；Gatsby; tragedy; unavoidable causes; aesthetic value

Contents

I. Introduction 1

1.1 A Brief Introduction of The Great Gatsby 1

1.2 Marxist Aesthetic Theory of Tragedy 2

II. Literature Review 5

2.1 Studies of The Great Gatsby Abroad 5

2.2 Studies of The Great Gatsby at Home 6

2.3 Summary 6

III. Embodiment of Gatsby’s Tragedy 8

3.1 Corruption of Personality 8

3.2 Pathetic Love to Daisy 9

3.3 Lonely Funeral 11

IV. Causes of Gatsby’s Tragedy 13

4.1 Internal Reasons 13

3.1.1 Unrealistic Expectation to Daisy 13

4.1.2 False Concept of Money and Love 14

4.2 External Reasons 15

4.2.1 Impact of the Social Values 15

4.2.2 Strict Hierarchy System 17

V. Aesthetic Value of Gatsby’s Tragedy 18

5.1 Criticism on American Dream 18

5.2 Reflection upon Personal Fate 18

5.3 Emphasis on Spiritual Power to Pursue Success 19

VI. Conclusion 21

Bibliography 22