英语本科毕业论文-论达尔文主义影响下《野性的呼唤》中杰克·伦敦的生存..pdf

本 科 毕 业 论 文 论达尔文主义影响下野性的呼唤中论达尔文主义影响下野性的呼唤中 杰克杰克伦敦的生存法则伦敦的生存法则 学学 院院 外国语学院 专专 业业 英语教育 年年 级级 2004 级 学学 号号 姓姓 名名 指指 导导 教教 师师 成成 绩绩 二八年四月 A Study of Jack Londons Principle of Survival Under the Influence of Darwinism in The Call of the Wild Liao Xianxia Supervisor Sun Tai A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of B. A. in English SCHOOL OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES SOUTHWEST UNIVERSITY April, 2008 Acknowledgements On the completion of this paper, I would like to acknowledge my supervisor, Mr. Sun, whose advice, assistance and encouragement helped me finish this paper more efficiently. He was always patient to communicate with me about my paper and helped me revise this paper. With the help of his useful and detailed suggestions could improve this paper. Besides that, my gratitude also goes to the teachers in the School of Foreign Languages., who gave me so many valuable instructions and equipped me with so many inspirations and encouragements during the fours years study, especially Professor Liu Chengyu, Professor Jia Zhigao, and Professor Wang Yongmei and so on. Whats more, I want to express my thanks to my dear friends and beloved parents, who helped me a lot, especially my roommates. We often discuss our papers and give each other advice and encouragement. It is really a great support and assistance for me to finish my paper. Contents Abstracti 内 容 摘 要.ii Introduction.1 I. Darwinism2 A. Darwins Theory of Evolution.2 B. Spencers Social Darwinism and London 2 II. Londons Principle of Survival in The Call of the Wild 3 A. The Summary of The Call of Wild.3 B. Adjust to Fit the Changed Environment .4 1. Be Courage to Get Rid of Old Habit 4 2. Be Wise to Rebel the New Order.5 C. Fight to Survive.6 III. Sublimation in Presenting the Theme of The Call of the Wild.7 A. The Themes in The Call of the Wild.7 B. Return to the Nature8 IV. Conclusion.10 Works Cited.11 i A Study of Jack Londons Principle of Survival Under the Influence of Darwinism in The Call of the Wild Abstract Jack Londons ideology is complicated. However, one of the ideas guiding his literary creation that are deeply influenced on him is Darwinism. The Call of the Wild, his classical work, subtly delineates the inner world of the dog, which in fact reflects the nature of human beings, reveals his philosophy of life, as well as glorifies the successful “strong person” who “survives for the fittest”. This thesis thus aims at studying Jack Londons principle of survival under the influence of Darwinism in The Call of the Wild. The first part is an introduction of Darwinism and Jack London. The second part takes The Call of the Wild as an example to analyze Jack Londons principle of survival from two points: adjust to fit the changed environment and fight for survival. The third part concludes the effects of Darwinism on sublimating the theme of returning to the nature in The Call the Wild. Key Words: Jack London Darwinism principle of survival ii 论达尔文主义影响下野性的呼唤中论达尔文主义影响下野性的呼唤中 杰克杰克伦敦的生存法则伦敦的生存法则 廖仙霞 西南大学外国语学院，重庆 400715 内内 容容 摘摘 要要 杰克伦敦是一个思想意识非常复杂的作家,但在创作思想上对杰克伦敦影响 最大之一的是达尔文主义。他的经典之作野性的呼唤正是用人的本性描写了狗 的心理,揭示了他个人所信奉的适者生存、强者生存的人生哲学,赞美了适应环境而 生存、成功的“强者”。 本文旨在分析达尔文主义思想影响下，其短篇小说野性的呼唤中体现的生 存法则。第一部分主要介绍达尔文主义，以及与杰克伦敦的关联。第二部分则分 析了野性的呼唤中杰克伦敦的生存法则，包括调整以适应改变的环境和奋斗 求生存。第三部分阐述达尔文主义对野性的呼唤回归自然主题表达的升华作用。 关键词：关键词：杰克.伦敦 达尔文主义 生存法则 1 A Study of Jack Londons Principle of Survival Under the Influence of Darwinism in The Call of the Wild Introduction Literary criticism of Jack London has proliferated since the 1970s. Some critics appraise his works and some appraise his person; some analyze his works as realistic and some as naturalistic; some criticize him as a proletarian writer while the others praise him highly for this. London is a paradoxical figure and this is one of the many reasons why he and his works have been and are still been studied throughout the world including his rich and colorful description, vivid characterization and accurate psychoanalysis of the characters in his works, especially of animals. He has been in the forefront of the move toward naturalistic fiction and realism in America. Especially, He has been deeply influenced by Darwins ideas of constant struggle in nature and “the survival of the fittest”. His social fiction gives him credence as a spokesperson for the working class because of his strong sympathy for the poor. As a folk hero, London has achieved a popularity, which, along with Mark Twain, may make him a permanent figure in American mythology. London is also extremely popular abroad, especially in Europe and the former Soviet Union. His reputation as a solid craftsman- especially of short stories has now been established firmly, even among literary critics as more and more critics find Londons works a subject worthy of discussion. His work has enjoyed great popularity of readers all around the world. The hero in his works (no matter whether it is an animal or a human being) often has a primitive and wild power. Moreover, he always put the main character in a life- and- death situation. Through an authentic description of “the essence of the relationship between man and nature, people and society, and the relationship among people” (Sanburg 66), he showed his observation and perspective for society and life. Jack London was good at expressing his beliefs of social Darwinism as well as racialism by incorporating them as the main themes in his short story. J Stewar Doublday had pointed out that “the philosophy of 2 survival for the fittest impenetrate each page of The Call of Wild” (87). Therefore, this thesis mainly focuses on the influence of Darwinism on Londons principle of survival in The Call of Wild, and finds his further thought of survival in real society. I. Darwinism In order to do the further studies about Londons principle of survival, firstly, it is necessary for us to get a better understanding of Darwinism. A. Darwins Theory of Evolution In 1859, Charles Darwin (1809- 1882) published The Origin of Species, in which he proposed the principle of survival of the fittest. “With the change of the environment, living things should make some adjustments in order for living longer” (Dickens 18). Moreover, the destiny of those could not fit the environment would be to disappear forever. Aware of weaknesses in his own family, he was sure that families would naturally refuse such selection and wreck the scheme. He thought that even if compulsory registration was the only way to improve the human race, this illiberal idea would be unacceptable, and it would be better to publicize the “principle of inheritance“ and let people decide for themselves. In 1871 Darwin proposed The Descent of Man，in which he applied the principle of “evolution by natural selection to human beings”(Dickens 27). Darwin was not the first person to treat human beings as animals, but his arguments brought greater plausibility to that point of view. He contended that humankinds moral nature and religious sentiments, as well as its physical frame, would develop in accordance with the requirements of survival. B. Spencers Social Darwinism and London After Darwins theory of evolution came out, the concept of the struggle for survival was widely applied to human social relationships. Herbert Spencer (1820- 1903) was a staunch advocate of evolutionary ethics and believed that human society progressed through competition. “If the weak received too much protection, the rest of humankind would be the loser” (Ellman 40). He argued that the individual (rather than the collectivity) was the unit of analysis that evolves, that evolution took place through natural selection, 3 and that it affected social as well as biological phenomena. In Spencers work, the thought of not aiding the poor and the working class, dominating colonial peoples, or urging aggressively competitive relationships among nations was justified. As a result, Spencers ideas were very attractive to business groups in the United States, Latin America, and Asia who saw them particularly well suited to guide their nations in the struggle for economic existence. In a word, He changed natural selection into social selection, and he held that there is also a struggle to survive in human society, the big fish eat up the small, the weakest go to the wall, and the fittest survive. Jack Londons family was very poor in his early years, so little London had to shoulder a heavy burden of supporting his family. 1897, which” was the beginning of what Mark Twain called The Gilded Age, an age of excess and extremes, of decline and progress, of poverty and dazzling wealth, of gloom and buoyant hope” (Liu 36). In order to survive in the hostile environment, people must compete with others in every respect, such as social status, reputation, money, food, etc, London joined in a group of people who were crazy for gold. During this period, he had finished reading Charles Darwins The Origin of Species, and greatly appreciated the principle of the survival of the fittest. Moreover, Herbert Spencers Social Darwinism had a great influence on him. London held that unlike the natural forces, the social forces were more horrible and more difficult to be conquered. They were the unbearable poverty and the great despair after the disillusion of hope. If one did not want to be defeated, he should behave like a Darwinist who would dare to leave the slum, with two fists clenched, to challenge to the whole society and break its traditional ideas, which based on the custom of putting the interests of the majority of people in the first place. II. Londons Principle of Survival in The Call of the Wild A. The Summary of The Call of Wild The Call of the Wild tells a story of a gigantic dog, named Buck, who lived at Judge Millers house in the warm Santa Clara Valley. He led a comfortable life and did not need 4 to worry about cold weather or food shortage. However, everything changed after he was kidnapped and sold to the Northland. From then on, Buck became a sled dog. The bad weather, the terrible Husky dogs, the fights, his dead friend and many things made Buck know he was surrounded by savages. There was no fair play. Only fight and war can help him. Finally, he began to master his new surroundings. His ability to rule and his great intelligence and good judgment were wonders to everyone. And he often listened to some special voice of the wild. Then, Buck was sold once more. He had two stupid owners. And then John Thornton rescued Buck, and became Bucks new owner. But life was hard for Buck. When they lived in a forest, the Yeehats, an Indian tribe killed all the people, include John. Buck was very angry, and he killed most of the Yeehats. He was very proud of himself, because he killed people, and people were game forbidden to all the wild animals. John was dead. Bucks last tie with people was broken. Finally, he was ready to answer the call of the wild. He ran with wolves, side by side with his wild brothers, shouted as he ran. Sometimes, he raised his great head, and with the wolves, he sounded the call of the wild. Thats the most wonderful voice and future for Buck. More and more ruthness makes Buck realize there is no goodness and kindness in this world. There is only one rule: dead or kill; eat or be eaten off. Thats too easy. Fight and war like breath are natural and important. There is no right or wrong, only life and death. B. Adjust to Fit the Changed Environment 1. Be Courage to Get Rid of Old Habit However, as a dog lived in the Southland, Buck did not know how to spend his first night in the Northland. In Judge Millers place, he was used to sleeping at the Judges feet on wintry nights. Therefore, out of his habit, Buck entered the tent but was driven away from it. He had to return and see how his own teammates dealt with the problem of sleeping. From another dog Billee, he learned to dig a hole for himself and passed the first cold night in the Northland. Buck swiftly got rid of his bad habit of fastidiousness, which had characterized his old life. He could eat anything, no matter how terrible the food was, and once eaten, he would absorb every nutriment, make them a part of his body and turn into energy. His sight and scent became keen, and he could hear the faintest sound even in 5 his sleep. He learned to bite the ice out when it froze between his toes; and when he was thirsty, he knew how to use his legs to break the ice. The most remarkable ability was that he could scent the wind and forecast it a night in advance. The characters in the work of naturalism are usually dominated by the fundamental desires to live such as fear, hunger, and sexual desire, etc., so they pay no attention to morals and act against the social norms or against their will under the pressure of circumstances. Buck did not steal the bacon for joy of it, but for hunger. Just as Jack London wrote: This first theft marked Buck as fit to survive in the hostile Northland environment. It marked his adaptability, his capacity to adjust himself to changing conditions, the lack of which would have meant swift and terrible death. It marked, further, the decay of going to pieces of his moral nature, a vain thing and a handicap in the ruthless struggle for existence. It was all well enough in the Southland, under the law of love and fellowship, to respect private property and personal feelings; but in the Northland, under the law of club and fang, whoso considered such things was a fool, and as far as he observed them, he would fail to prosper. (15) 2. Be Wise to Rebel the New Order After the shock of Curlys tragedy, he was forced to face another shock soon. He was treated as a working animal to haul a sled, but he was too wise to rebel the order, even though his dignity was hurt hard. Because from the man in the red sweater, he learned that “he stood no chance against a man with a club.” and “a man with a club was a law- giver, a master to be obeyed” (London 7) .From this point, it is evident that Buck had already treaded the first step to fit the hostile environment in the Northland. Buck, as the new comer to northland and do the draught work first time, facing the valiant lead- dog Spitzs bully, he took no action, pretending that he obeyed the orders of Spitz and was unwilling to revolt against the cruel treatment of Spitz when he taught Buck to haul a sled. 6 C. Fight to Survive Buck was a killer, a thing that preyed, living on the things that lived, unaided, alone, by virtue of his own strength and prowess, surviving triumphantly in a hostile environment where only the strong survive He must defeat the other animals so that he could survive. Bucks first unforgettable lesson was given by Curly, a good- natured Newfoundland. When she wanted to get close to a husky, she was attacked without warning. In addition, about two minutes after she went down, she was nearly torn into pieces. Buck witnessed the whole scene, and from it, he learned that there was “No fair play. Once down, that was the end of you” (London 10). Only the strongest can survive. “It was the wolf manner of fighting, to strike and leap away; but there was more to it than this” (Sanburg 73) .Though many people experience the same misery situation, they have no sympathies to each other. Once given the chance, they also play the position of the stronger using their strength to bully the weaker, crushing the weaker into pieces. “He must master or be mastered; while to show mercy was a weakness. Mercy did not exist in the primordial life. It was misunderstood for fear , and such misunderstandings made for death. Kill or be killed, eat or be eaten, was the law” (Raby 66).It seems only one law works in the world, both men and beast s obeying - the law of club and fang, in another word, only the fittest can survive. The life in the Northland taught Buck a lesson: there was only the cruel fight to survive and no human sympathy. The lead- dog Spitz sensed that Buck might be a dangerous rival, so he never lost an opportunity to bully Buck. And it was too much for Buck when he found his nest was occupied by Spitz. From then on, it was doomed that the fight between them was unavoidable, and only one could continue to live. Buck began to openly threaten Spitzs leadership and interfered with Spitz when he was punishing the culprits. His master “knew he was behind all the trouble and Buck knew he knew; but Buck was too clever ever again to be caught red- handed” (London 24). The last fight between Buck and Spitz further proved Londons principle. He said: 7 Buck possessed a quality that made for greatness- - - imagination. He fought by instinct, but he could fight by head as well. He rushed, as though attempting the old shoulder trick, but at the last instant swept low to the snow and in. His tooth closed on Spitzs left fore leg. There was a crunch of breaking bone, and the white dog faced him on three legs. Thrice he tried to knock him over, then repeated the trick and broke the right fore leg. (London 27) After the death of Spitz, Buck took up the duties of leadership, and he excelled in giving the law and making his mates obey it. The solidarity came back to the whole team under the rule of Buck. His fighting successfully proved his strongest to survive in the new land. III. Sublimation in Presenting the Theme of The Call of the Wild A. The Themes in The Call of the Wild There is a distinct tendency in The Call of the Wild of Jack London. From portraying the dogs images to revealing the formation and development of the dogs character, the novel embodies obviously genetic determinism and environmental determinism advocated by Zola. “This novel demonstrates that the law of jungle in the capitalism society- the cruel essence capitalism, through animal conflicts” （Rubinstein 75） . On the other hand, it also tells us a story of l