Abstract

American naturalism, which came into being in 1890s, is one of the most important literary schools in the history of American literature. Its works are mainly about “the helplessness of man, his insignificance in a cold world, and his lack of dignity when facing the crushing forces of environment and heredity”. Sister Carrie is a typical piece of work of American naturalism written by Theodore Dreiser, and this thesis, taking this novel as an example, explains how environmental and hereditary factors influence the fate of the main characters. Besides, this thesis also points out several limitations of American naturalism and its enlightenment for our modern life.
The whole thesis consists of four parts. The first part is about the three great historical and cultural backgrounds of this novel. The second part analyzes the typical characteristics of Naturalism in Sister Carrie. For example, how the fates of the main characters in this novel are influenced by hereditary factors and environmental factors. The third part focuses on criticizing the limitations of American naturalism reflected in Sister Carrie. First of all, the author of the thesis criticizes the pessimistic determinism in naturalism, and then its concept of treating human as a beast-like creature. In the last part, it comes to the enlightenment that when facing difficulties, one should not be pessimistic but possesses dignity and self-confidence and the power to fight for one self, and then be the master of one’s own fate. Besides, spiritual fulfillment is equal to, and even more important than material success.

Key words: American naturalism; environmental factor; hereditary factor; Sister Carrie
                                   
摘  要

   美国自然主义兴起于19世纪90年代，是美国文学史上最重要的文学流派之一。其作品内容主要关于“人类在一个冷酷世界里的无助，无价值，面临如环境和遗传等不利因素时表现出来的毫无尊严”。德莱赛的《嘉莉妹妹》是一部美国自然主义的典型作品。这篇论文以这本小说为例，讨论环境和遗传因素是怎样影响小说中主角的命运。除此之外，本论文还指出了美国自然主义的几大局限及对我们现代生活的启示。
论文由四个部分组成。第一个部分关于《嘉莉妹妹》创作的三大历史文化背景。第二部分分析了《嘉莉妹妹》中自然主义的典型特点，例如小说中主角的命运怎样受到环境和遗传因素影响。第三部分主要评论了小说《嘉莉妹妹》中所反映出来的美国自然主义的局限性。首先作者批评了自然主义中的悲观决定论，接着批判了小说中将人看作兽类的观点。最后一个部分得出启示，即当我们遇到困难时不能悲观消极应对，而应有自尊，自信以及为自己抗争的能力，成为自己命运的主人。除此之外，精神上的满足与物质上的成功同样，甚至更加重要。

关键词：美国自然主义；环境因素；遗传因素；《嘉莉妹妹》