浅析《达芬奇密码》的叙述特征_英语论文     

Analysis of Narrative Characteristics Existing in The Da Vinci Code

摘要

后现代主义文学是二战后西方社会出现的广泛的文学思潮。它在文学艺术观念和创作技巧上远远超越了传统的现代主义，因此已成为一种独立的文学思潮。作为一部名副其实的后现代作品，由美国作家丹·布朗创作的《达芬奇密码》采用了大量新的创作理念和写作技巧，打破了严肃通俗小说的界限。自2003问世以来在全世界引起了广泛反响，并占据纽约时报畅销书排行榜第一名长达两年之久。被译成多国语言，迄今为止其发行量早已不计其数。就像一场风暴，《达芬奇密码》席卷了整个出版界。

由于书中包含了大量有争议的宗教和历史问题，又兼具瑰丽的建筑美学和绘画艺术，故而诸多西方学者对这部绝佳的作品和其独特的故事情节产生了浓厚的兴趣。而在国内，人们则更重视小说中生动的环境描写以及形形色色的“符号”密码，对历史上是否真实存在的人物和神秘组织亦充满了好奇。但对其语言特色、叙事结构和混合的小说体裁却鲜有提及。而本人确认为这些点恰好可以更好地体现这部侦探小说的叙事特征。因此，本论文将把重点放在这些点上。

本文由引言、两个主要阐述章节和结论组成，共分为四个部分。

引言部分将简要概述一下丹·布朗和《达芬奇密码》的基本信息。知晓作者的生平以及小说创作的背景有助于读者深入理解其作品。

两个主要的阐述章节是论文的核心部分。文章将通过《达芬奇密码》的语言特色，叙述特点及其混合的小说体裁这三段来阐述该作品的在叙事上的独特性。而在这三章之中，叙事特点一章是与论文主旨相互呼应的重中之重，包括叙事结构、叙事视角、悬念设置和开放式结局四个方面。

最后得出结论，作为一部名副其实的后现代作品，《达芬奇密码》无论从情节、内容还是写作技巧上都取得了巨大的成功。无论小说的惊天秘密是真实的还是虚幻的，它能给读者一种全新的后现代视角来看待历史和世界。甚至可以说，《达芬奇密码》的存在已经成为了未来创作侦探小说路上的一盏明灯，为其指引了方向。

关键词：《达芬奇密码》；丹·布朗；后现代文学；叙事特征

Abstract

Postmodern literature is a wide range of literary trends in the western society after the Second World War. It went far beyond the traditional modernism in the literary and artistic ideas and creative skills. Therefore, it has become an independent literary trend of thought. As a veritable postmodern work, written by American author Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code uses a large number of new creative ideas and writing techniques to break the boundaries of serious and popular novels. Since it was introduced to public in 2003, it has caused widespread repercussions in the world and got the first place on the New York Times’ bestseller list for two years. Being translated into various languages, its circulation has been difficult to calculate up to now. Just like a storm, The Da Vinci Code swept the whole publishing world.

Containing a large number of controversial issues of religion and history, the magnificent architecture and art, many western scholars took keen interests in this excellent work and the unique storyline. While in China, people paid more attention to its vivid description of the environment, mysterious and intricate sign code, some real figures and occult organizations in history. But its writing features, narrative structure and mixed novel genre are rarely mentioned. However, these issues illustrate Narrative Characteristics of this detective novel better. Therefore, the present thesis will focus on them.

The present thesis will consist of four parts, including the introduction, two primary analysis chapters and a conclusion. 

The introduction will give a summary of Dan Brown and The Da Vinci Code. The life experience of author and the background of composing the novel will help readers understand his work in depth.

The two primary analysis chapters are the key parts of the thesis. The writing features in The Da Vinci Code, the Narrative Characteristics in The Da Vinci Code and its mixed novel genre will be elaborated through these three paragraphs. Among three chapters, the Narrative Characteristics are top priorities for echoing with the main idea of the thesis, including the narrative structure, the narrative perspective and suspense setting and open ending.

The thesis finally comes to the conclusion that The Da Vinci Code, as a truly postmodern work, has been a great success in creation, whether from the plot, content or writing techniques. No matter how the secret of the novel is true or illusory, it gives readers a new postmodern perspective of history and the world. The existent of The Da Vinci Code finally became a light to facilitate future detective novels.

Key words: The Da Vinci Code; Dan Brown; postmodern literature; narrative feature 

Contents

Abstract i

摘要 ii

1. Introduction 1

    1.1 Brief Introduction of Dan Brown 1

    1.2 Introduction of The Da Vinci Code 2

         1.2.1 Main Content 2

         1.2.2 Social Status and Influence 4

    2. Postmodern Literature and its Effect 6

    2.1 Background Information and Main Characteristics 6

    2.2 Effect and Significance 8

    3. The Narrative Characteristics in The Da Vinci Code 10

    3.1 The Writing Features in The Da Vinci Code 10

    3.2 The Narrative Structure 12

         3.2.1 The Combination of Linear and Non-linear Narrative Structure 12

         3.2.2 Causal Narrative Structure 13

         3.2.3 Space-time Narrative Structure 14

   3.3. The Narrative Perspective 15

         3.3.1 Primary Narrative Perspective 16

         3.3.2 Shifting Narrative Perspective 17

 4. Conclusion 18

 Bibliography 19

 Acknowledgements 20