Dickens’ Humanitarianism In A Tale of Two Cities ).doc

学 期 论 文 论文题目:Dickens Humanitarianism In A Tale of Two Cities 课 程：英国文学史及选读学生姓名： 学 号： 院（系）：外国语学院 班 级：英语班 课程教师姓名：学期时间：2014-2015-1ContentAbstract in Chinese.Abstract in English.Chapter Introduction .1 1.1 Brief Introduction of the AuthorCharlesDickens.1 1.2 Theplot of ATaleofTwoCities.2Chapter Reasons for the formation of the humanitarian spirit of Dickens.3 2.1 The Definition of Humanitarian.3 2.2 The Authors Experience and The French Revolution.4Chapter Humanitarianism Embodied in Characterization.5 3.1 Completely Negative Characters .5 3.2 Two-Faceted Characters.6 3.3 Ideal Characters.7Chapter .11 4.1 Conclusion.11Acknowledgements.13Bibliography.14Abstract in Chinese 作为19世纪英国批判现实主义文学的杰出代表，查尔斯-狄更斯的作品广泛而深刻地描写了当时社会生活的各个方面，并从人道主义出发对各种丑恶的社会现象进行揭露批判。双城记就是以法国大革命为背景,揭示了封建压迫对人性的残害，真实地反映了尖锐的阶级对立和激烈的阶级斗争，揭露了封建贵族的恶行。它同时也反映了作者对待革命和人性的看法。狄更斯把希望寄托于开明的统治者进行一些改革，提倡用仁爱和宽恕的精神来化解仇恨，缓和阶级矛盾。小说中的主要人物身上都体现了人道主义精神。本文将从他小说中的各种人物分析了他的人道主义思想。关键词：狄更斯双城记人道主义 IAbstract in English As an outstanding representative of the 19th century English critical realism，Charles Dickens works describe social life extensively，and he ruthlessly exposes the ugly social phenomena and fiercely criticizes the evils of society from the angle of humanitarianism. A Tale of Two Cities is based on the French Revolution, and it reveales the mutilation of feudal oppression of human nature, reflectes the sharp class antagonism and fierce class struggle, exposes the devilries of the feudal aristocracy. At the same time, it reflects the authors attitude to the revolution.Dickens devotes his hopes to the reforms of some rulers, and advocates to overcome hatred and eases class contradictions through the spirit of love and forgiveness. This paper will analyze his humanitarianism from the characters in this novel. KeyWords: Dickens 、 ATaleofTwoCities、 HumanitarianismIIChapter Introduction1.1 Brief Introduction of CharlesDickens CharlesJohnHuffamDickenswasborn on February 7, 1812, in Portsmouth, onEnglandssoutherncoast. John Dickens,Charlessfather, was arespectable, middle-classnavalpayclerk. John Dickens received areasonablesalary, but he always spent more than he made. In 1842 he was imprisonedfordebt.Helivedaloneinpovertyinrentedlodgings whiletherestofhisfamilymovedintoprisonwithhisfathera common practiceatthat time. JohnDickens was released after three months , andCharlesreturnedtoschool.Dickensalwaysremembered andhated thisperiodofhislifeandthedegradationitseemedtoentail.Yetherehe firstbecamefamiliarwiththelower-classpeoplewhoappear throughouthisnovels.Dickensalsoreturnedagainandagaininhisbooks toprisonscenes.CharlesDickens was one of the greatest English critical realists in the 19th century, has achieved popular recognition to a degree rarely equaled in English letters since his first novel publicated. Almost all of his novels display his comic gif, his great humor, his melodramatic dialogue, his deep social concerns and his extraordinary talent for creating unforgettable characters, etc. But one can never neglect “his saving strength” while he remains “a moralist and a preacher of his humanitarianism.1.2 Theplot of ATaleofTwoCitiesATaleofTwoCitiesisoneofthe CharlesDickenssthe most important representative works. The novel depicts the plight of the French peasantry which demoralizes by the French aristicracy in the years leadinguptotherevolution,thecorrespondingbrutalitydemonstratesbytherevolutionariestowardtheformeraristocratsintheearlyyearsof the revolution,and during the same time period, many unflattering social parallels with the lifeinLondon. It follows the lives of several protagoniststhroughtheseevents.ThemostnotableareCharlesDarnayandSydneyCarton.DarnayisaFrenchonce-aristocratwhofallsvictim totheindiscriminatewrathoftherevolutiondespitehisvirtuousnature, andCartonis a dissipated British barrister who endeavors to redeem his ill-spentlifeoutofhisunrequitedloveforDarnayswife,LucieManette.Thisworkembodiesthe authors mature thought and deep thinking. The author reviews the reasons of the French Revolution from the viewpoint of humanitarianism to warn the rulers of the England in such a periodwhenthesocialclassesconflictseriouslywitheachother.Onthe onehand,theauthorexpresseshisgreatangertoaristocrats,hissympathytothesufferingsofthepublicandtheinevitabilityandjusticefor the revolution to break out; On the other hand he uses the bloody scene to describe thecruetly of the revolution, and the failure to achieve the poor mans idealwhichtherevolutionintendstopursue.Chapter Reasons for the formation of the humanitarian spirit of Dickens 2.1 The Definition of HumanitarianHumanitarian is a thought in the West, from the beginning of the Renaissance, which is based on an abstract and universal humanity. Humanitarian promotes a worldview of caring people and respecting each other and human-centered and advocates equal personality. Humanism thought in the Renaissance is traced to the ancient Greek and Roman art and inherites medieval folklore humanitarian tradition ideas. While in the new era and social condition, there has new enrichment and development. Many of the works of the Renaissance inherites and developes the spirit of exposing and castigating the folklore of medieval feudal church theocracy, and it exposes more profound and comprehensive .2.2 The Authors Experience and The French Revolution Dickens humanitarianism has a lot with his personal childhood experience. Any writers writing materials are derived from living, experience, or from the people around him. Dickens was born in a poor family of the petty bourgeoisie, as the lower people, he knew the miserable of those people. At the bottom of society, he suffered a lot .When Dickens was 12, his father was into imprisonment for debt -ridden, and his mother and siblings lived with his father in the prison. He would assume the burden of the family and became an apprentice in shoe oil companies and interrupt their studies due to financial difficulties. Therefore, he has a sincere sympathy for the working people and exposes the evil feudal aristocracy angrily.After the outbreak of the French Revolution, Dickens thought the proletariat violent revolution was full of guilt. And the formation of human nature of Dickens humanitarian was based on the social situation and the objective conditions.Chapter Humanitarianism Embodied in CharacterizationATaleofTwoCitiesadvocatestheauthorsopinionthathuman beingsshouldusethekindnesstosolvetherealproblems,usethe humanityinsteadofcrueltyandhorrortoharmonizetheconflict, popularizetheeducationandimproveoursociety.Inthisnovel,theauthorportrayssometypicalcharactersthatembodythe authors view. First, he portrayssomekind, uprightandhumanepersons, such as Dr.Manette, LucieManette,Mr.Lorry,etc.Butatthesametime,healsoportrayssomecruelandferociouspersons,suchastheMarquisofEvremondeBrothers,Mr.andMrs.Defarge.Heusesthesecharacterstomakeacontrast,whichclearlyexpresseshisview.3.1 Completely Negative CharactersIn A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens mercilessly makes a scathing commentary on the debauchery, cruelty and incompetence of the aristocrats, representes by the brothers Evremonder, especially by The Marquisan intense incarnation of aristocratic depravityMarquis Brothers lives in an extravagant, absurd life with no compassion. A marduis who drink chocolate tea every day could not swallow without four non-warrior help. They live corruptly, govern the country incompetently and harme the people Seriously. Pernicious and inhuman, They disregar for human life violently and cruely. To abducte a peasants wife, they have beaten to death and killed four lives nonchalantly. They could bury anyone into jail no time limit just to fill in a blank decree. When Maiquis carriage rampages and kills the poor chid, he throws a gold coin from the carriage window and yells that people do not manage their children. While the feudal aristocracy have been awared of that people hatred instensely to their privileges of the nobility smoldering. But in order to ensure the status of the aristocracy, they do not liberate the people from oppression and extortion. Their tragic ending do not worth a sherd of mercy and compassion in that their spirit of love have gone.The stony Marquis represents the inhumanity of the old order, which treates people as though they are mere animals and whose own society is an empty sham of fine clothes, frizzled hair, and artificial complexions, disfigured by “the leprosy of unreality”. And Dickens marvels at their total blindness to the volcano that is boiling up beneath their feet and attributes this unconcem to the frivolous life that the aristocrats ledThe operas，balls，and drunken revels that occupies the lives of the idle rich completely drowned out the rumblings of the volcano preparing for eruption3.2 TwoFaceted CharactersBorn in a tenant family whose numbers are tarnished and persecuted, Madame Defarge lost her father, brother, sister and brother-in-law at an early ageConsequently, she has implacable hatred of the Evremondes and is determined to take revenge. Dickens completely understands her situation and deeply sympathizes her sufferings. Therefore, before the break of the Revolution, Dickens appreciates her strong characte，remarkable wisdom and extraordinary ability to lead and organizeBut out of the fear and opposition of the revolutionary violence , the author is vilified for her image with a lot of words to describe her fierce, terrible and ruthless and the abnormal psychology of avenge . Dickens portrayes the Nemesis as bloodthirsty female demons . As their faces than those barbarians smear even the most hideous horrible cruelty . At this point , Dickens reflects a non- human behavior by her . Dickenss humanitarianism cant bear such a distorted person with inhuman mechanismAs a result，Dickens deliberately makes Madame Defarge die under her own gun, which unequivocally indicates his attitude3.3 Ideal CharactersIdeal characters are good examples for Dickenss ideal wish that social contradictions are solved by means of humanity, and hatred is defeated by fraternity. They are the embodiment of all kinds of moral virtues which support Dickenss never-dying hope for human beingsThe representatives are Doctor Manette, his daughter Lucie and his soninlaw, Damay. Whats more, one can never forget loyal and loving Miss Pross and Mr.Lorry for their great devotion to the familyAnd there are some minor but impressive characters who possess that Dickens the essence of humanity Dickens showes great sympathy of Dr. Ma Naite in this novel. Dr. Ma Naite belongs to the third grade civilians. As a witness to the whole story, he is graceful and elegant and full of wisdom, we seem to be able to see him as the incarnation of the writer Charles Dickens himself. Due to professional reasons, Dr. Ma Naite accidentally witnesses the feudal aristocracy Marquis brothers trampled personality, disregard for human life atrocities, because he records straight and sufferes persecution from Marquis brothers, he is thrown into the Bastille for up to eighteen years. But when he knows his daughter falls in love with Marquis nephew Charles Danai, he puts his eighteen years of suffering repression in his heart and accepts Danai. After the outbreak of the French Revolution, Danai is put into jail. Dr. Ma Naite opens the old scar of the pain experienced in the former Bastille prison , win the sympathy and support of the masses of the riots , and rescues Danai. The author describes him : He is a detached outsider person, quiet with compassionate. Hospital and prisons could not miss him, regardless of the murderer or the victim, he is equally to use his cinical skills. His courageous, restraint patient, practical and pragmatic embody the humanitarian spirit.Dr. Ma Naite s daughter-Lucy upholds his fathers advantages, she is near-perfect women in this novel. Lucy is a dutiful daughter, a good wife and good mother. when their family is in the most afflicted, she also deals with the housework in good order, and even has class for her daughter on time every day. In order to let her husband see her at a glance, every afternoon, whether rain or shine Lucy has been to the opposite wall to stand for two hours. Lucy embodies the humanitarian spirit of women. Darnay is a standard man, he has been described by the tone of praise. Thought he is in a sinful family, he is lightness. He abhorres and condemnes the crimes of his family. Face his uncle the Marquis, he said: Even in my fathers era , we have committed many sins, hurts everyone prejudice to our pleasure. He does not stay in the words of condemnation, but also in practical action : In order to achieve his sacred goal, he gives up the title, rank, property and changes his name to the English as a teacher, then he becomes a self-reliant person. In order to save lives, he goes deep into extremely dangerous France. On the court of Britain and France, he has behaved noblely and bravely. Obviously, in his mind , human values is not determinted by the power, status and money. we also can not hurt the dignity of others because of our own pleasure, and even endanger the lives of others. Undoubtedly this is a humanitarian of bourgeois ideology .Sydney Carton is also a character of the humanitarian spirits. In Dickens s pen, Carlton is a paralegal. Though he is talente, he is willing to hide behind people to become someone else stepping stone to success . His character was distorted by society . However, his mind is still full of humanity and goodness. Carlton is indulgent and has rich talents. seemingly casual, but he konws well aware of what was happening in fact . He looks down on himself, so he indulges himself, at the same time, he feels despair for his own indulgence. He is a sentimental man and his heart is noble and pure. He is always concerned about what happens in doctors home and tries his best to give them help. He uses his wisdom in court to free Darnay and uses his own appearance to rescue Darnay from prison. Because of feelings of love for Miss Mo Naite, Carlton arranged a thing cleverly, which uses his life in exchange for a lovers happiness. Finally, he, with a smile, quietly walkes the last path in life. Carlton confesses on Lucys words which has been passed down in our Quotes: “for you, and for any dear to you ,Iwoulddoanything.Ifmycareerwereof that better kind that there wasanyopportunity or capacity of sacrifice in it, I would embrace any sacrifice for you and for those dear to you.” From this passage we can see, Carlton is a specific idea of the British tradition of noble spirit that Dickens has been pursuing, he is shinging the light of the humanitarian which is the most beautiful chapter.Chapter 4.1 Conclusion In Dickenss world “humanity” is his primary concern. Hedevotesallhislifeintothehumanitarianism. He hasadeepresearchinhumanityandsociety. He criticizes the injustice in the society and the darknessinpeoplesheart.Headvocatesthekindnessandbeautiesofthepeople. He railes against fashionable social philosophies like Utilitarianism that will reduce human life to numbers and dehumanize people into machines. He railes against social inequalities and exploitation that tumed honest, decent and compassionate people into hardened criminals or even monsters through Iack of food，care，and education. And he railes against any social system that set one class against another instead，as Scrooges nephew says，of letting them think of people as if they really were followpassengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys”Hethinksthathumanbeingscanbeimprovedbyloveandmoral education.Anditisinhumaneandunnecessaryfortherevolutiontobreakout,althoughhedoesnotagreewithwhatthearistocratshavedone.He thinksthatthetyrannyisinevitablyleadingtotherevolution,bloodwill leadtomoreblood,anditwillneverend.Everyoneshouldlovepeople andonlythehumanitarianismcanimprovethissituation.And ATaleofTwoCitiesisthebestwork,whichembodieshishumanitarianism.SothatwecanseethatCharlesDickensisanoutstandinghumanitarianofthe capitalisticreformisminthe19thcentury.But, Dickens is neither a revolutionary nor a socialist writerHis class attribute determines that his so