从《刀锋》看两次世界大战期间的知识分子形象_英语论文

The Image of Intellectuals during the Two World Wars：A Case Study of Larry in Maugham’s The Razor’s Edge 

摘要

威廉·萨姆赛特·毛姆，英国著名小说家和戏剧家，他的文章中饱含对人的同情。《刀锋》描绘了两次世界大战时期人们的价值观变化，尤其战争对知识分子思想状态的影响。

本论文以毛姆小说《刀锋》中的拉里这一人物形象为切入点，结合当时的历史、社会、文化背景，研究生活在两次世界大战期间知识分子的共同特点。本论文认为，由于当时社会环境的影响，二次世界大战期间的知识分子普遍具有精神迷失的特征，面对社会价值观的转变，知识分子能依然与人为善，追求真理直至解决现实的疑惑。

关键词:知识分子    精神迷失   与人为善   追求真理

Abstract 

William Somerset Maugham often shows sympathy for individuals in his works. The Razor’s Edge reflects people's thinking and living conditions and puts emphasis on the impact of war on the intellectuals.

This paper focuses on Larry, the typical intellectual of The Razor’s Edge by studying the historical, social and cultural background in order to summarize common characteristics of intellectuals during two World Wars. This paper argues that, due to the influence of the social environment, intellectuals during two World Wars in general have characteristics of spiritual loss. They stick to compassion in front of values change and pursue genuine truth until they find answers.

Keywords:intellectuals   spiritual loss   compassion   pursuit of truth