An Analysis on the Characters in The Age of Innocence from the Perspective of Bildungsroman_英语论文

摘要

《纯真年代》，是伊迪丝·华顿的经典作品，以19世纪70年代末80年代初的纽约上流社会为背景，描写了贵族青年纽兰.阿切尔的情感变化经历。男主人公纽兰·阿切尔一直遵循和维护着社会传统和习俗，与美丽且门当户对的梅·韦兰订婚后，渐渐地被梅的表姐埃伦·奥兰斯卡吸引并且爱上她，但最终还是回到了梅的怀抱。本论文从成长小说理论角度分析探究阿切尔在成长过程中遇到的问题，以及他如何产生价值观的变化和达到心灵的成长，深化读者对男主人公人生经历的认知，使读者更深入了解《纯真年代》的成长主题。

关键词：纯真年代  纽兰·阿切尔  成长小说  成长

Abstract

As a masterpiece of Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence happens in New York upper-class society in the late 1970s to early 1980s. This novel depicts an aristocratic man, Newland Archer’s emotional experiences. Newland Archer maintains and obeys social traditions and customs for his identity as nobility. Although he is engaged to a decent lady May Welland who is matched for marriage, he is generally attracted by Ellen Olenska and takes a fancy to this woman. Finally Newland decides to live with May. This thesis deals with the theme of this novel from the perspective of Bildungsroman: to explore the problems Archer encounters in his love experience, how he changes his moral value and achieves his spiritual growth. Thus readers can have a better understanding of the theme of the novel.

Key words: The Age of Innocence  Newland Archer  Bildungsroman  growing

Contents

Chapter One  Introduction1

1.1  A Brief Introduction to Edith Wharton.1

1.2  A Brief Introduction to The Age of Innocence2

1.3  The Structure of the Thesis.3

Chapter Two  Literature Review4

2.1  Previous Studies on The Age of Innocence4

2.1.1 Previous Studies Abroad.4

2.1.2 Previous Studies at Home.6

Chapter Three  Theoretical Framework8

3.1  Definition of Bildungsroman8

3.2  Developments of Bildungsroman9

Chapter Four  An Analysis on Newland Archer.11

4.1  The Changes of Self-value11

4.2  The Awakening of Women’s Equality Awareness 13

4.3  The Growth of Mind.15

4.4  Plot Pattern Consistent with Structural Pattern of Bildungsroman 16

Chapter Five  Conclusion18

5.1  Major Findings18

5.2  Limitations of the Thesis and Implications of the Research.18

Bibliography

Acknowledgements