英美文学名利场修辞分析.doc

ON FIGURES OF SPEECH IN VANITY FAIRWritten by Luo YanSupervised by Professor Tan WeiguoA Thesis Submitted to Foreign Languages CollegeShanghai Normal UniversityIn Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Degree of Bachelor of ArtsIn English LanguageMay, 2006ContentsPageAcknowledgements.IAbstract (English).IIAbstract (Chinese).III1.Introduction11.1 Background of Vanity Fair.11.2Brief Introduction to Vanity Fair.11.3 Introduction to this Paper22.Satire in Vanity Fair43.Irony in Vanity Fair.74.Metaphor in Vanity Fair115.Contrast in Vanity Fair156.Conclusion20Bibliography22AcknowledgementsFirst and foremost, I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to express my gratitude to my tutor Mr. Tan Weiguo, who offered me enlightening instructions, patient guidance and valuable suggestions, which contributed to the completion of my thesis.I would also like to acknowledge my indebtedness to all the instructors who enlightened me with good ideas and taught me different courses and various skills from which I benefited a great deal. In addition, I am very grateful to all my classmates and friends who offered me generous support and helpful advice in the past four years.Finally, I wish to dedicate this paper to my beloved parents, who always love me and affectionately care for me.AbstractVanity Fair written by William Makepeace Thackeray is generally recognized as his masterpiece, through which he established his important position in the history of English literature. Since the publication of this novel in the 19th century, many critics and scholars at home and abroad have been studying the artistic techniques and features of this novel. But their studies cannot be said to be exhausted or complete and thorough. On the basis of relevant researches by critics and scholars at home and abroad, this paper discusses the four major figures of speech in this classic. The paper is divided into four main parts, with an introduction and a conclusion. Chapter Two examines the effects of satire through use of names and humorous situations. Chapter Three discusses irony in narration and characterization. Chapter Four explores how metaphor is used to build up characters. Chapter Five illustrates how three pairs of contrasts perfect the structure of the novel and clearly show the relationships among the characters. This paper purports to contribute to the value of the novel from a different angle by analyzing the effects of four main figures of speech employed in the novel. Also, the paper is intended to help readers appreciate this great novel and better understand the authors mind. Key words: Vanity Fair, satire, irony, metaphor, contrast摘要名利场是十九世纪英国著名小说家萨克雷的成名作，它奠定了萨克雷在英国文学史中的重要地位。这部小说展示了十九世纪初英国上流社会的生活画卷，通过对英国贵族阶层的讽刺批判了资本主义社会惟利是图、趋炎附势的社会状况。自从小说出版以来，海内外的评论家和学者一直在研究其文学技巧和特色。本文结合诸多专家的观点，从修辞格的角度探索名利场的艺术价值。本论文共分六部分。第一部分引言，简单介绍了小说的时代背景、故事情节，阐述了本论文的内容和特点。第二部分则通过小说人名、地名的来源和一些幽默的场景来展现讽刺的精彩应用。第三部分分析小说叙述和人物塑造上反语的应用，来突出作家运用修辞格服务主题娴熟的技巧。第四部分讨论比喻在体现主、次人物个性方面的重要作用。第五部分分析小说中三组不同阶层之间的相互对比，来加深理解整篇小说的结构和人物关系。文章结尾总结回顾了论文要点。本论文研究的修辞格有讽刺、反语、比喻和对比，将通过具体的范例来分析它们在小说的作用。本论文旨在帮助读者更好地欣赏这部小说和理解作者的思想。(适当修改中文摘要，使之与英文摘要基本一致！)关键词：名利场；讽刺；反语；比喻；对比1. Introduction1.1 Background of Vanity FairAs one of the most famous works in the 19th Century, Vanity Fair helps establish William Makepeace Thackerays solid position as a well-known novelist of the 19th Century in England. The book was, is and will be popular among all the people in different times because of its realist subject and the wonderful writing skills shown in it. The story is based on the middle-and-upper classes of England in the 19th Century when Britain was quite powerful. At that time, the industries and commerce were all booming and the society was under the control of the new capitalists, who made their fortune by exploiting the working class. At the same time, the war between Britain and France broke out. All people in the middle-and-upper classes were busy with their business relating to fame and fortune, which are associated with each other.1.2 Brief Introduction to Vanity FairIn this novel Thackeray describes the life of the ruling classes of England in the early decades of the 19th century, and attacks the social relations of the bourgeois world by satirizing individuals in different strata of the upper society.The novel opens with the departure of two fellow students from their school to enter the big world. While staying in Amelias home for a brief holiday before going to work as a governess, Becky attempts but fails to entrap Amelias brother Joseph for her husband. She then goes to the Crawley family to teach the children and wins the attention of both father and son in the family. She has to decline the old baronets offer of marriage as she is already secretly married to the son Rawdon, who has the bright prospect of inheriting his rich aunts property. This infuriates his father and the aunt, which results in Rawdons loss of the hoped-for inheritance. Amelia marries her sweetheart George Osborne much against the wishes of Old Osborne, a rich businessman. Later both of their husbands join the army. At the ball on the eve of the battle of Waterloo, Becky outshines Amelia and even makes George propose to elope with her. The ball breaks up since the battle breaks out, and the two husbands rush to the battle. George is killed in the battle and Amelia gives birth to a boy. She lives with her parents, who are bankrupt, still cherishing the memory of her husband, while her adorer Dobbin remains devoted to her. In the meantime, Becky manages to live in a grand style practically on nothing. She receives large sums of money from Lord Steyne without Rawdons knowledge. Rawdon, finding his wife entertaining Lord Steyne alone, flies into a rage and leaves home. Finally, Amelia marries Dobbin and leads a happy life.1.3 Researches Made Into the Novel Vanity Fair marks the peak of Thackerays literary career, which places Thackeray on the same level as Dickens. Since it was published, many scholars and critics have made studies of the novel and the author. Some of them pay attention to Thackeray as a great social satirist, and some turn their eyes to narrative techniques and realism in the novel. For instance, Samuel Chew (1950) notes that Thackeray spends much of his time “parodying and satirizing romantic sentiment” and that he possesses a terrible power to detect and expose mens self-deceptions, shams, pretenses and unworthy aspirations.” Liu Bingshan states (2004: 370) that as one of the greatest critical realists of the 19th century, “he is well known for caustic satire, vivid description and wonderfully charming narration shown in Vanity Fair”. Un- doubtedly, Vanity Fair has proved to be a classic in the eyes of critics. 1.4 Main Content of This PaperThe paper is divided into four parts, together with an introduction and a conclusion. Chapter Two examines the effects of satire through use of names and humorous situations. Chapter Three discusses the roles of irony in narration and characterization. Chapter Four explores how metaphor is used to build up characters. Chapter Five illustrates how three pairs of contrasts perfect the structure of the novel and clearly show the relationships among the characters. (表达方法要与摘要不同！)1.5 Purpose, Methods and Significance of This ResearchThis paper is intended to contribute to the value of the classic novel from a different angle by analyzing the effects of four main figures of speech employed in the novel. The paper develops naturally by means of analysis.A good study of these rhetorical devices will contribute to our appreciation of Vanity Fair and better understanding of the authors mind. （这部分要好好修改！） 2. Satire in Vanity FairLiterally, satire is defined as “a kind of artistic form in which human or individual vices, folly, abuses, or shortcomings are held up to censure by means of ridicule, derision, burlesque, or other methods, sometimes with an intent to bring about improvement” (J.A. Cuddon, 1979). In Professor Vinsons opinion, “if someone is being satirical, their aim is not just to amuse, but to affect the person that they dislike; to hurt them, ruin them, etc” (1985: 252). Therefore, using satire means being ready to attack. ？As a satirist, Thackeray should not be overlooked in a cursory review of Vanity Fair. In this novel, Thackeray employs satire mainly through use of names and humorous situations. Thackeray makes full use of the freedom provided by English word-formation and creates many names, each of which sounds like an accusation. As to certain occupations the author chooses “killing names”: Lance the surgeon; Mrs. Briefless？ the barristers wife; Sir Thomas Coffin the celebrated hanging judge. To portray personal characteristics there are names such as Mr. Smirk, Miss Today, the Reverend Mr. Crisp and the Reverend Mr. Flowerew. Lord Methuselah is an old man, and Mrs. Highflyer is a typical social climber. The Crawleys are the family who use every means to crawl up the social and monetary ladder. Moreover, the towns are called Mudbury and Squashmore. Especially in Chapter 7, the author satirizes the naming of children after celebrities and mentions the Crawley ancestor, the first baronet of the Tape and Sealing-Wax Office, who was impeached for embezzlementas were other honest gentlemen. In a word, Thackeray combines his wisdom and the skill of satire to make the readers impressed with different characters and to add amusing atmosphere to the whole story.At the same time, Thackeray tears the mask away from daily life through some humorous situations to realize his purpose of achieving satiric effects. There are amusing situations, which serve to expose pretension of affections, hypocrisy or social vanity.Miss Crawley always claims to believe in equality, but she treats Becky as a maid. Even later she hates Becky who marries her noble cousin, Rawdon. The following is what she often says to Becky. Her contradictory words arouse the readers disgust with this hypocritical and insincere old woman.What is birth, my dear? and I consider you, my love, as my equal in every respect; and will you put some coals on the fire; my dear, and will you pick this dress of mine, and alter it, you who can do it so well? William Thackeray, Vanity Fair (London: Oxford University Press,1994)127Sir Pitt Crawley is described like this: the whole baronetage, peerage, commonage of England, did not contain a more cunning, mean, selfish, foolish, disreputable old man. What is funnier appears when Old Sir Pitt proposes marriage to Becky.“Im an old man, but a good man. Im good for twenty years. Ill make you happy, see if I dont. You shall do what you like; spend what you like; and everything in your own way. Ill make you a settlement. Ill do everything regular. Look dear! ” and the old man fell down on his knees and peered at her like a satyr. Rebecca started back a picture of consternation. In the course of this history we have never seen her lose her presence of mind; but she did now, and wept some of the most genuine tears that ever fell from her eyes. “Oh, sirIIm married already.” William Thackeray, Vanity Fair (London: Oxford University Press,1994)178We are much amused at the discomposure of Old Sir Pitt, old enough to be Beckys grandfather and at the pain of Beckys losing an opportunity to marry a rich husband. In this situation the ugly inner worlds of the two persons are clearly manifested. Old Sir Pitt, old, dirty and disreputable, wants to marry a young, seemingly pure, and smart girl while the girl regretted who married Rawdon out of money instead of love. Thackerays picturesque comments in his narration are quite natural like everyday talk, but very offensive. When George Osbornes sister Mrs. Bullock visits Amelia, the author makes a satirical comment on this situation, which exposes extreme apathy among people in upper classes no money, no relative; no interests, no interest.and those ladies accordingly met, after an absence of more than fifteen years. During Emmys cares and poverty the other had never once thought about coming to see her; but now that she was decently prosperous in the world, her sister-in-law came to her as a matter of course. William Thackeray, Vanity Fair (London: Oxford University Press,1994)781In this way, the author uses the writing technique of satire to give the characters in Vanity Fair a strong blow. (这里可以多评论几句！) It can be said that Thackerays satire is essential to the success of this fiction. 3. Irony in Vanity FairAccording to Websters New World Dictionary, irony is a method of humorous or subtly sarcastic expression in which the intended meaning of the words used is the direct opposite of their usual sense (1972: 843). Word Reference gives the definition, “When the speaker says one thing but wants you to understand something different, they are being ironic”. So irony is a form of incongruity between what is said and what is actually meant.Thackerays irony covers a wide range. It is sometimes cutting, sometimes playful, but always pertinent. His irony strengthens the narration and imparts charm and freshness to the characterization. In narration, some biting comments can serve to bring out the salient features of Thackerays irony. Making comments on money, Thackeray remarks, “What a charming reconciler and peacemaker money is!” （加页码！） While making comments on Beckys friendship with Lady Jane, he writes, “ these two ladies did not see much of each other except upon those occasions when the younger brothers wife, having an object to gain from the other, frequented her. They my-loved and my-deared each other assiduously, but kept apart generally” （） Commenting on Miss Crawley, he says, “The good quality of this lady has been mentioned. She has a balance at her bankers which would have made her beloved anywhere.” （） Commenting on Vanity Fair, the author thinks, when the cannon was heard, “even great English lords and ladies condescended to speak to persons whom they did not know.” （） Of deaths and funerals, Thackeray comments, “Could the best and kindest of us who depart from the earth, have an opportunity of revisiting it, I suppose he or she would have a pang of mortification at finding how soon our survivors were consoled ” （） Of weddings, he says, “After three of four ceremonies, you get accustomed to it, no doubt; but the first dip, everybody allows, is awful.” (在上述引语后面加上页码，表示出处！)In characterization, since almost all the characters in Vanity Fair are scamps, scoundrels, or humbugs, Thackeray has his tongue-in-cheek when he describes them. His description of Beckys need of mother is such.All she wanted was the proposal, and ah! How Rebecca now felt the want of a mother! a dear, tender mother, who would have managed the business in ten minutes. William Thackeray, Vanity Fair (London: Oxford University Press,1994)62Seemingly, Becky feels sad that she does not have a mother to arrange her marriage to a rich man; however, what she really regrets is that she fails to get enough money, which is her real purpose of the marriage and a mother in her life. The irony is so sharp that we can all learn the fact that for Becky, obviously money is of more weight than a mother. This fact may be strange in normal world but it is natural in the vanity world.Indeed, for my own part, though I have been repeatedly told by persons for whom I have the greatest respect, that Miss Brown is an insignificant chit, and Mrs. White has nothing but her petit minois chiffonne, and Mrs. Black has not a word to say for herself; yet I know that I have had the most delightful conversations with Mrs. Black (of course, my dear Madam, they are inviolable): I see all the men in a cluster round Mrs. Whites chair: all the young fellows battling to dance with Miss Brown; and so I am tempted to think that to be despised by her sex is a very great compliment to a woman. William Thackeray, Vanity Fair (London: Oxford University Press,1994)132The above is what the author remarks before he describes the situation when Amelia visits her fiancs sisters. Although Amelia is popular with young gentlemen since she is a lovely beautiful girl, the other ordinary-looking women always say a lot against her out of jealousy. The last sentence of the above quotation seems to be a confirmation of the situation. Nevertheless, what the author implies is that women envy beautiful women and sometimes even speak ill of them simply because they are more beautiful or have more concern from men. The author makes his readers giggle when they read such a paragraph and impresses them a lot with the womens particular psychology of jealousy, using the writing technique of irony.Men come in for a good share of Thackerays irony, too. Josephs eating is “the delightful exercise of gobbling”. The reader gets a view of Joseph vain, overweight, bashful, and lonely, who is such a loathsome creature, in these ironic lines. Being an invalid, Joseph Sedley contented himself with a bottle of claret, besides his Madeira at dinner, and he managed a couple of plates full of strawberries and cream, and twenty-four little rout cakes, that were lying neglected in a plate near him, William Thackeray, Vanity Fair (London: Oxford University Press,1994)31 (这段引语似乎与上下文没有联系起来加以讨论！)Mr. Osbornes disposition has suffered because “he has not