New Themes in Persuasion from the Cinderella Archetype.doc

毕业论文(设计)AcknowledgementsMy deepest gratitude goes first and foremost to my supervisor Miss Qin Taojiao, for her constant encouragement and guidance. Her inspiring insights, generous encouragement and enthusiastic instructions have facilitated me much through my thesis writing. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to all the teachers who have taugh me the BA courses. Without their help, it will be a hard work to finish this paper.Last my thanks would go to my beloved family for their loving considerations and great confidence in me. I also owe my sincere gratitude to my friends and my fellow classmates who gave me their help and time in listening to me and helping me work out my problems during the difficult course of the thesis. AbstractCinderella, a famous fairy tale, is also a love mode and archetype in literature. Jane Austen often used it to express womens desire for a happy life. In Persuasion, Austen had changed and developed Cinderella archetype a bit. It is not only concerned with womens pursuit of an ideal marriage, but also concerned with the change of the society. The paper tries to reveal the theme of the novel and the 19th century society by analyzing the Cinderella archetype in Persuasion. Basically speaking, the framework of Cinderella archetype can be concluded as the four elements: the death of the mother, miserable life experience, the twists and turns in love relationship, and the happy ending. Persuasion represents the maturity of her works. There are new factors and new characteristics in it, which reflects the change of Austens world ideology. In Persuasion, Austen had been award of the societys change. As a result, her writing style and content also changed with the developing society. She criticized the corrupted and declining aristocratic class and praised the newly emerging naval class. Key Words: Cinderella archetype Persuasion themes 摘 要“灰姑娘”是一个著名的童话故事，是一种恋爱模式，也是一种文学形式。简奥斯丁借这模式表达了女性追求幸福婚姻生活的渴望和对以男权中心的社会主流观念的质疑和批判。在劝导这部小说中，“灰姑娘”叙事模式已经发生变化，发展了。它不再仅仅是女性对于幸福婚姻，理想爱情的追求，更具有了一种社会的深远意义。本文则试图通过具体分析劝导中的“灰姑娘”叙事模式来揭示小说的主题。“灰姑娘”叙事模式的框架可以概括为四个要素，即：母亲的死亡生活的磨难爱的波折爱情大团圆。劝导是奥斯丁最成熟的作品，在这位作家的小说创作中可谓独树一帜,呈现出新的因素,新的特点,这些都表明奥斯丁的世界观发生了变化, 她也意识到社会的变化, 所以，她的写作内容和风格也相应的发生了变化。小说中的“灰姑娘”叙事模式体现了作者对腐朽没落的庄园贵族的批判和对新兴的海军阶层的推崇，这也就是本文所要反映的主题。关键词：灰姑娘叙事模式 劝导 主题ContentsAcknowledgements.iAbstract(English).iiAbstract(Chinese).iii1. Introduction.12. Four elements in the Cinderella archetype.32.1 Family factors.32.1.1 The death of the mother.32.1.2 The fathers irresponsibility.42.1.3 The sisters.52.2 Miserable life experience.62.2.1 Moving out of Kellynch Hall62.2.2 Eight years waiting.72.3 The twists and turns in love relationship .72.3.1 The potential love between Wentworth and Louisa.82.3.2 The potential love between Mr. Elliot and Anne.82.3.3 The misunderstanding between Wentworth and Anne.92.4 The happy ending.103. The themes reflected in the Cinderella archetype.11 3.1 The criticism of the corrupted and declining aristocratic class.12 3.2 The high praise of newly emerging naval class.134. Conclusion.15References.1716 New Themes in Persuasion from the Cinderella Archetype1. Introduction In her life, Austen wrote six complete novels: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansifield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. They all comply with the romance of Cinderella archetype. However, Persuasion is extremely different from Austens other novels, and it represents the maturity of her works. “There are new factors and new characteristics in Persuasion; it reflects the change of Austens world ideology and the new image that she tries to create”(伍尔夫, 1994:96).“Austen was the first novelist who described ordinary people in daily life in English literary history” (朱虹, 1985:58). Though what Austen wrote was just three or four families, she was good at using skills to reveal lifes tragedy and comedy in the narrow literary field. She was also adept in seriously analyzing the features of the society and culture at that time, so that she could record the change and development of the society. Narrow scope of subjects, easy language, light humor, simple country life and the eternal subject of love were more than enough to mark Austens works attractive as they could be. Austen deserved the position she stood in the English literature history.Persuasion was Austens final completed novel and was written between 1815 and 1816. As so often in Austens novels, Persuasion concerns the social issues of her time and particularly the matter of class. The story begins with the letting of Sir Walter Elliots house, Kellynch Hall, who is a man of self-aggrandizing and showy tendencies. Persuasion is a tale of the romance between his pretty and friendly younger daughter Anne who meets the novels hero, Captain Wentworth. Eight years ago, Anne Elliot fell in love with a poor but ambitious young naval officer, Frederick Wentworth. The Elliots were dissatisfied with Annes choice, feeling the man was not distinguished enough for their family, and her older friend and mentor, Lady Russell, acting in place of Annes deceased mother, persuaded her to break off the match. Now 27 and considered a spinster, Anne re-encounters her former fianc, now a captain. This is the beginning of the novel. After they go through the twists and turns in their love relationship, they are married eventually.Many people have studied Persuasion from the aspect of Cinderella archetype. For example, Zhang Du in Nanjing Xiaozhuang College has written a paper titled A Comparasion to Zhang Ailing and Jane Austens Cinderella Archetype. The purpose of that paper is to compare the two writers different writing stytles. Another one is Yao Lihua, who is in HuBei Nomal College, writes a paper named Analysing the New Female Image and New Marriage Mode in Persuasion. However, their results are confined to love concept and marriage concept. In fact, few of them try to study the function of Cinderella archetype for the sake of the themes of the novel. The purpose that Austen often used Cinderella archetype in her works was to “enhance 19th century English womens status by describing them acquire a happy marriage which consists of love and money”(邵森, 1983:32). Anyway, the paper aims to reveal the social theme, which is Austens criticism towards the corrupted and declining aristocratic class and the high praise of the newly emerging naval class. 2. Four elements in the Cinderella archetypeCinderella is a well-known fairy story; it is almost a dream of every girl to be a Cinderella. As a matter of fact, the story of Cinderella is constantly altered by different writers in different times and countries. There is no exception to Jane Austen. She liked to apply Cinderella archetype in her novel writing; however, she changes it a bit and put some new elements in her works, especially in Persuasion.Basically speaking, the framework of Cinderella archetype can be concluded as “the four elements: the death of the mother, miserable life experience, the twists and turns in love relationship, and the happy ending”(Net.1). The four elements are still used to analyze Persuasion, however, there is something new in it.2.1 Family factors2.1.1 The death of the motherOne obvious feature in Cinderella story is the death of the mother. Annes mother also died when she was fourteen years old. “Except one short period of her life, she had never since the age of fourteen, never since the loss of her dear mother, knowed the happiness of being listened to, or encouraged by any just appreciation or real taste”(Austen, 2001: 54). As a result, she has to grow up by herself. Fortunately, she has a god-mother who adores her, that is Lady Russell. To Lady Russell, Anne is indeed a most dear and highly valued god-daughter, favorite and friend. She thinks that it is only in Anne that she can fancy the mother to revive again. Lady Russell is sensible, intelligent and considerate whose first goal is to help Anne get happiness. Ironically, it is Lady Russell who has prevented Anne from getting happiness. Eight years ago, she persuaded Anne to turn down Captain Wentworths proposal of marriage. While far more sensible than Sir Walter Elliot, she shares his great concern with rank and does not think Wentworth good enough for Anne because of his inferior birth and financial status. Such advice is against Annes initial decision, but she believes it is right to listen to those older and wiser, who must, she assumes, have her best interest at heart. The persuasion leads to her eight years waiting and the consequence of the novel.2.1.2 The fathers irresponsibilityThough Annes mother had been dead, if she had a responsible father, she can lead a rather happy and smooth life. Unluckily, her father Sir Walter is a vain, pretentious and stubborn baronet. Selfish and self absorbed, he is unable to think past himself and his own immediate desires. Vanity is perhaps the defining character of Sir Walter. With a dressing room surrounded by mirrors, a Baronetage book treasured for its description of the Elliot family, and a predilection to be seen only with attractive and socially important people, Sir Walter is the very image of conceit. Because Anne is neither the most beautiful nor the most image-conscious of his daughters, he often overlooks Anne, slights her and dismisses her opinions. It is Sir Walters irresponsibility and conceit that make him to object Wentworth and Annes engagement.2.1.3 The sistersAnne has two sisters: one is elder sister Elizabeth; the other one is younger sister Mary. Since they have an irresponsible father, they dont have sisterly relationship. Sir Walter doesnt set up a good example for his daughters; he has transmitted his silliness to both Elizabeth and Mary. Elizabeth shares his vanity and self-importance; when the Elliots have financial troubles due to their over-expenditure and luxuriant lifestyle, Elizabeth decides to cut off charities and to refrain from furnishing the drawing room. The only other aspect that she thinks to economize is the gift that they bring to Anne after their jaunt in the city. This comically highlights not only the selfishness and ludicrous luxury of their lifestyle but also the position of Anne in the family. Mary is so filled with self-pity that she thinks herself is the most important one in the world. Her children are uncontrollable because she takes little interest in teaching them. When she requires Anne to Uppercross, she just wants Anne to look after her and her children. When her son is injured, though initially Mary is hysterical, soon she gets over the hysteria and loses interest when she realizes he will most likely be all right. She reasons that she may as well go out to dinner, since she can be of little use to her son at home, therefore, she leaves Anne to take care of her child and she goes out to dinner. Basically speaking, sisters have close relationship, but Anne and her sisters dont have such kind of relationship. Annes sisters are indifferent to her, so she is lonely and cannot get love from her sisters. The setting makes Anne more like a Cinderella.Anne lost her mother in her childhood while her father and sisters show no concern about her, therefore, all these unfavorable family factors make her inner world solitary. However, besides that, she has to suffer more.2.2 Miserable life experience2.2.1 Moving out of Kellych HallAfter Cinderellas mother has been dead, she is forced to move out of her room and work in the kitchen. Anne also suffers the same situation. The Elliots have to move out of Kellynch Hall. It is Cinderellas stepmother who makes her to leave her home, while it is Sir Walters imprudence and insensible extravagance that cause the Elliots to leave their home and retrench in Bath. After leaving Kellynch Hall, Anne seems to be homeless. When the Elliot is going to move to Bath, Anne is thought to be of no use, or no importance, in the choice of the house, which they are going to secure. However, something occurs to give her a different duty. Mary often feels a little unwell, so she requires Anne to come to Uppercross Cottage, and bears her company as long as she should want her, instead of going to Bath. Mary says she cannot possibly do without Anne; and Elizabeths reply is, “then I am sure Anne had better stay, for nobody will want her in Bath”(Austen, 2001: 40). Under such circumstances, Anne is glad to be thought of some use, and at least better than being rejected as no good at all. On the other hand, Anne is unwilling to move out of Kellynch Hall. She cant bear the thought that such a respected, landed family as hers must live in rented rooms in a city, while their home is inhabited by others. She is further dismayed at the small degree to which her father and sister seem to be upset by this. Anyway, she can do nothing to it, because she is just Anne.2.2.2 Eight years waitingAt the beginning of the novel, Anne is narrated as a twenty-seven years old lady with no fortune, whose bloom has vanished early. Though she was born in an aristocratic family and had been a pretty girl, she couldnt get the estate that she deserves to have due to her fathers imprudence and insensible extravagance, therefore, she is an aristocratic lady with no money and dowry. When Anne was nineteen, she refused Captain Wentworths propose. The failure of her first love made her sad and sorrowful; on the other hand, it also tempers herself, as well as makes her to become mature in the agony in which“she is torn between her duty to her class and her passion for Captain Wentworth”(杨柳, 1995). When Captain Wentworth and Anne meet again, Anne observes him to see whether he still loves her or not, besides, she tries to refrain her sensibility and show her sense. All these show that Anne has been a mature lady; she deserves Captain Wentworths love.2.3 The twists and turns in love relationship When it strikes the twelve oclock, Cinderella has to leave the prince. They go through several twists and turns in their relationship, eventually they do get married. The same is true to Captain Wentworth and Anne. At first, they fell in love with each other. However, when Captain Wentworth proposed to Anne, she refused out of her duty to the class and Lady Russells persuasion. Eight years later, they meet again, but they are confused by the appearance of a third party, Louisa and Mr. Elliot.2.3.1 The potential love between Captain Wentworth and LouisaWhen Captain Wentworth shows up in Uppercross, he is welcomed by the Musgrove, especially Miss. Mussgrove, Louisa. Since Captain Wentworth lives there for a time, they often go out for hunting and walking. During one of their walkings, when Wentworth mentions Admiral and Mrs. Croft, Louisa cries with enthusiasm:“If I loved a man, as she loves the Admiral, I would always be with him, nothing should over separate us, and I would rather be overturned by him than driven safely by anybody else”(Austen, 2001: 97). Wentworth feels excited and surprised. Obviously, Louisas these words impress Wentworth, and show that she likes him. Captain Wentworth also admires her for her resolve and determination, especially in contrast to Annes prudence and what he sees as Annes lack of conviction. When they are in Lyme, an accident happens. Louisa, to show her enjoyment, runs up the steps to jump down. Though Wentworth has put out his hands, she is too quickly to jump down that Wentworth cannot catch her, therefore she falls on the pavement unconsciously. Wentworth is almost supposed to marry Louisa out of moral duty. As a result, Louisa is really a great obstacle to the relationship between Anne and Captain Wentworth.2.3.2 The potential love between Mr. Elliot and AnneThe accident happened in Lyme is indeed a turning point of the novel. Mr. Elliot, the heir presumptive of Sir Walter, shows up in Lyme. When Anne and Henrietta stroll down to the sea before breakfast, they meet Mr. Elliot and “Annes face caught his eye, and he looked at her with a degree of earnest admiration, which she could not be insensible of”(Austen, 2001: 120). It was evident that the gentleman, completely a gentleman in manner, admired her exceedingly. When Anne returns to the inn, she finds that she and Mr. Elliot live in the same one. Since he is a man of exceedingly good manners, Anne feels that she should like to know who he is. After returning from Lyme, Anne goes to visit Lady Russell. Lady Russell is happy to find Anne is improved in plumpness and looks. When Anne receives her compliments on the occasion, she has the amusement of connecting them with the silent admiration of her cousin, and of hoping that she is to be blessed with a second spring of youth and beauty. When Lady Russell meets Mr. Elliot, she thinks highly of him, she also thinks that Anne and Mr. Elliot are very likely to get married. Here, Mr. Elliot is really a great threat to the relationship between Anne and Captain Wentworth.2.3.3 The misunderstanding between Anne and Wentworth In fact, it is Wentworth and Annes not knowing themselves clearly that leads to the misunderstanding between them. When Wentworth reappears in Annes life, he thinks that Anne has altered so much beyond his recognization. He even compares himself to be a nut; a beautiful nut has weathered th