《文学概论》期末论文 经典范文.doc

浙江万里学院2015/2016学年第二学期文学概论期末论文 班级： 学号： 姓名： 成绩： The Feminist Approaches to Wuthering HeightsAbstract: As Wuthering Heights is deemed to a classic of English literature, it has been always attracting considerable readers and scholars to investigate from different perspective. Wuthering Heights expressed the mental oppression, tension and contradiction of human beings in capitalist society in 19th century. Based on the previous studies at home and abroad, this paper will introduce the female perspective into the study of Catherines tragic fate.Key words: Wuthering Heights, the Feminist Approaches, Catherine, tragic fate1. The Feminist ApproachesFeminism is the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. Examines ways in which literature reinforces or undermines the oppression of women. Feminists examine the experiences of women from all races and classes and cultures. According to feminist criticism, the roots of prejudice against women have long been embedded in Western culture. Some say it originated with biblical narrative where the fall of man is blamed on Eve, not Adam. Ancient Greeks (Aristotle) “The man is by nature superior, and the female inferior; and the one rules and the other is ruled.” Therefore, feminisms goal is to change these degrading views of women so that all women will realize they are not a “non-significant other” and will realize that each woman is a valuable person possessing the same privileges and rights as every man. Feminism has caused a major relocation of values in literary studies and elsewhere in Western culture, and it will continue to challenge long-held beliefs and practices. Feminism, as a catalyst for so much of postmodern literary and cultural studies, will find itself transformed by its own creations.2. Human and Nature Emily Bronte was born in a poor priest house. She is introverted, often wander wilderness alone to experience the intimate connection between man and nature. Besides, at the end of the 18th century the feminist movement touched Emily Bronte deep inside. In her mind, human and nature is a part of the universe like everything else, human being is not the master of natural, nature provides the spiritual homes and shelters for the human, and nature also consulates the human soul. It is not difficult for readers to find these thoughts in her works.In the Wuthering Heights, the author often mention wilderness. Actually, the eternal wilderness is a symbol of nature. Through the description of moor, the readers can see the endless sky, the gurgling streams and the crazy growing black heather. In the childhood of Heathcliff and Catherine, this vast moor is their amusement park. When they feel suffocated, they will flee to this wild vivifying moor to breathe fresh air, and release their spirits. Sometimes, in order to play in the wilderness for a whole day, they even do not go to church on Sunday. Yet the costs have been enormous, Heathcliff will get a flogging, Catherine will be hungry for a meal. However, they would rather accept the punishment than go to the church on Sunday. In their childhood, theyre souls are connected with the nature. At this time, human and nature live in harmony, showing a beautiful and harmonious scene. At the same time, the wilderness is also their love paradise, their love is very pure, and like the wild plants grow slowly.The ecological feminism believes that women are the most close to the nature gender, and the nature is often endowed with feminality, so natural empathy with women. In the Wuthering Heights, Catherine is the daughter of nature, so natural empathy with her. When Heathcliff runs away from home, the thick clouds depress the wilderness. In other words, it also depresses Catherines heart. She is so anxious that crying and shouting constantly. At the same time, the nature seems that sympathetic visage, the storm makes a surprise attack on wuthering heights. It is a perfect fusion between Catherines sadness and natures storm. Actually, after getting married, Catherines heart is still yearning for the wuthering heights and moor. Besides, the nature also gave strength to Catherine, when she falls ill, the nature gives her hope. When she died, she thinks she go back to the wuthering heights. Catherine believes that as long as she return to the wilderness and breathe the free air over there, she will become better.3. Under the Patriarchy, Women Lost Their SelfIn the Wuthering Heights, the patriarchy is display well on the Earnshaws. When heroine Catherine was a child, she received a lot of corporal punishment. Later, Catherine also achieved maltreatment by his brother Hindley. Under the domination of the patriarchy, the character of Catherine has been distorted. For Catherine, Heathcliff just like her soul. However, Hindley degrades Catherine and Heathcliff in every way he can, and separates them relentlessly. This repression and bondage hurt Catherine deeply; she tried her best to revolt. However, the newly-built firewall has been lost due to an accident. She went to the Thrushcross Grange accidentally; she lost herself in the elegant rich atmosphere. She wanted to change her status by marriage, she felt hesitate before the strong desire. She hopes that she can get a foothold in the upper society. “I love the ground under his feet, and the air over his head, and everything he touches, and every world he says I love his looks, and all his actions, and him entirely, and altogether. There now!” Catherine finally chose to marry Linton, entered into paradise which arranged by patriarchal society. The patriarchy highlight that marriage is the only way that women can change their status. Being set in this background, Catherine lost herself, gave up her original intention and chose to compromise.Actually, after getting married, Catherine had to suppress the original self and make her behavior correspond to social criterion. This long depression made her sad and melancholy. When she knew Heathcliff came back to Wuthering Heights, she was in the seventh heaven of rapture and hoped she can be freed from the shackle. She looked forward to going back to the joyful and unfettered child life. When she was sunk into the illusion of the high fever, she ripped the pillow, the eiderdown fluttering all over the sky. Perhaps in her hallucination, the flying eiderdown was transformed into the free bird. It indicated Catherines desire for freedom; she gradually escaped from confusion, and eventually walked up on the path of awakening and resistance.4. Awakening and Resistance Wuthering Heights is a social epitome of the Victorian Age. At that time, the real society is a patriarchal society filled with sharp class contradiction and racial struggle. Under the patriarchy, although Catherine was deprived of all right, she has never given up the pursuit of happiness, which reflected the womans rebellious psychology. When she was a child, she is passionate about playing the hostess and giving orders. It is thus clear that Catherine wants to grasp her destiny in the subconscious. Her father and brothers maltreatment also raised her spirit of resistance. She did not afraid her brothers control and abuse even challenge him, ignored his bans, spent the whole day on playing and running with Heathcliff in the wilderness. All of these are a forceful resistance to patriarchy. When Catherine knew Heathcliff came back to Wuthering Heights, she could not restrain the excitement. Gradually, she was awakened and seemed to retrieve her soul. When she sunk into the welcome for Heathcliffs return, Linton (the spokesman of the patriarchy) was strictly prohibited for their close contact. Owing to Catherine has gradually awakened from the restraint of marriage, she could not accept this ban and expressed her strong resistance, and she demanded that she wanted to have dinner with Heathcliff alone. When she sunk into seriously ill, she mentioned the cemetery,Ah! You are come, are you, Edgar Linton? She said, with angry animation. You are one of those things that are ever found when least wanted, and when you are wanted, never! I suppose we shall have plenty of lamentations now-I see we shall-but they cant keep me from my narrow home out yonder: my resting-place, where Im bound before spring is over! There it is: not among the Lintons, mind, under the chapel-roof, but in the open air, with a head-stone; and you may please yourself whether you go to them or com to me! These sharp words indicated that Catherine want to break the relationship between her husband who behalf the patriarchal moral principles. Her constancy of love is the stubborn resistance to the patriarchy. Although the resistance is weak and forceless, under the description of Emily it has achieved sublimation.5. Conclusion All in all, from the feminist approaches, Wuthering Heights reveals that the women sit on the humble status due to under the oppression of the patriarchy; women are subjected to physical abuse and mental bondage. Altho