Unstoppable Force: The Conflict in The Call of the Wild_英语论文

摘要

《野性的呼唤》是美国作家杰克·伦敦的代表作之一，主要讲述了巴克从家养宠物回归为野兽的故事。巴克所经历的一切象征地体现了20 世纪初的美国社会。本文采用自然主义的观点来研究人、动物、自然之间的矛盾关系。杰克·伦敦在本篇小说中表现了三个矛盾。首先就是美国南北方之间的矛盾，起因是因为南北经济体系的不同，但最终北方赢得了这场战争的胜利，这在一定程度上也暗示了巴克的野性最终会战胜人性；其次是人与自然的矛盾，在恶劣的自然环境中，有人屈从于自然，有人妄图打败自然，也有人去适应自然，巴克最终能成为狼王就是其适应自然的结果；最后但同样重要的矛盾是自然本身的矛盾，表现为巴克内在的矛盾。对于是否回归荒野，巴克曾经感到迷惘和犹豫。本文通过分析这一系列的矛盾和冲突，揭示了小说的主旨：作者以巴克最终的回归行为表达了人类及其文明服从自然力量的观点以及对自由的渴望。

关键词：《野性的呼唤》；杰克·伦敦；冲突

Abstract

The Call of the Wild is one of the masterpieces of the American writer Jack London. It tells us the story of gradual transformation of Buck from a house pet to a wild animal. Buck’s experience is a symbolic portrayal of the American society in the early 20th century. In this paper, naturalism is adopted to explain the contradictory relationships between humans, animals and nature. Throughout the novel, there are three main conflicts. The first is the conflict between the North and the South, which results from the different economic systems between them both. But finally the North wins, which to some extent, symbolizes the wild nature in Buck conquers the human nature. Furthermore, it’s the conflict between man and nature. In terrible environment, someone submits to nature; someone tries to defeat nature; someone adapts to nature. The reason that Buck becomes king of beasts is that he tries his best to adapt to nature. Last but not least, the conflict in nature itself is fierce, which is the inner conflict of Buck, too. Buck is confused and hesitant to return to the wild at early time. The analysis of the series of contradictions and conflicts reveals the theme of the novel: Buck’s final return to the wild implies that the power of nature is beyond human beings and their civilization and it is the symbol for freedom advocated by the author.

Key words: The Call of the Wild, Jack London, conflict

Contents

1. Introduction1 

2. Demonstration2

2.1. The conflict between the North and the South.2

2.1.1. Economic system.3

2.1.2. Living environment  .4

2.2. The conflict between man and nature.5

2.2.1. Submitting to nature  6

2.2.2. Defeated by nature.7

2.2.3. Adapting to nature .8

2.3. The conflict in nature itself.9

2.3.1. Class competition.9

2.3.2. Inner struggle .10

3. Conclusion.12

Note13

Works Cited14

Bibliography.15