英语论文--呼啸山庄

毕 业 论 文 题 目： Return to Nature On the Conflict between Nature and Civilization in Wuthering Heights 学 院： 外国语学院 摘要 艾米莉勃朗特是英国维多利亚时期一名杰出的作家。她短暂的一生只留下一部杰作呼啸山庄。这部小说因其永久的魅力和广泛的畅销被列为世界名著。然而，这部小说的价值直到二十世纪才被人们重新发现。随着时间的推移，她的小说越来越受到关注。一百多年来，学术界对其小说呼啸山庄分别从主题、主旨、写作技巧、语言风格、女性主义、生态批评等不同角度进行过研究。本文从象征主义的角度来解读自然和文明的关系，二者之间相互斗争，但最终因为文明的侵犯和本性的扼杀造成了西斯克里夫和凯瑟琳的爱情悲剧，同时折射出造成人类悲剧命运的根源和重回自然的思想。 勃朗特在呼啸山庄中构建起分别象征着自然的呼啸山庄和文明的画眉山庄，把维多利亚时代的矛盾压缩进两个家庭的故事中。本文以凯瑟琳的命运为中心线索，分别论证了呼啸山庄和画眉山庄的象征意义。凯瑟琳是文明和自然的交织点，通过论述凯瑟琳的异化，迷失和归复来说明文明压抑了人性，要求人顺应人性回归自然的思想。关键词：自然；文明；凯瑟琳；西斯克里夫；象征主义I Abstract Emily Bront is a brilliant writer in Victorian Age. In her short life, she writes only one novel, Wuthering Heights, which has become a worldwide classic for its enduring interest and wide popularity. However, the novel is ignored by the readers and critics of the Victorian Age. It is not until the 20th century that the true value of the novel is discovered. As time passes by, her novel has gained more and more attention. Throughout the hundred years the scholars have attained remarkable achievements from diffident points of view, such as themes, narrative skills, writing style, language, feminism and ecocriticism. This paper tries to apply symbolism to analyze the relation between nature and civilization, which are fighting with each other. But the violation of civilization and the death of nature are responsible for the tragedy of Heathcliff and Catherine. The novel mirrors the root of tragedy of human and akes people to return to nature. In this novel Bront builds Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, which are the tokens of nature and civilization respectively. She condenses the contradiction of the Victorian Age into the story of the two families. The paper is built around the fate of Catherine. It studies the symbolic meanings of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. Catherine is the conjunction of nature and civilization and the conflict of them is vividly shown in her. The alienation, loss and return of Catherine indicates that civilization represses the nature of human and man should return and comply to nature.Key words: nature; civilization; Catherine; Heathcliff; symbolism IIContents1. Introduction12. The Life of Nature in Wuthering Heights42.1 Wuthering Heightsthe Symbol of Nature42.2 The Wilderness of Catherine and Heathcliff53. The Life of Civilization in Thrushcross Grange83.1 Thrushcross Grangethe Symbol of Civilization83.2 The Lost Spirit between Nature and Civilization94. Conclusion12Works Cited14Acknowledgments15 III1. Introduction Emily Bront, the well-known novelist in English literary history, is the most accomplished among the Bront Sisters. All her life she only writes one novel, Wuthering Heights, which is published in 1947 under the pseudonym Ellis Bell. This book gives her worldwide fame. It is termed as one of the most shocking and charming works in the world literature. Algernon Charles Swinburne, the distinguished critic of England, puts that Emily is a genius of tragedy and her novel can stand in the same level with King Lear and Mobi Dick, or the Whale. (Swinburne,1883:18) As a marvelous work in world literature, Wuthering Heights is exceedingly attractive to the critics all around the world. They give it manifold interpretations with different theories from different points of views, such as the theme, the narrative method, the rhetoric devices, the analysis of characters, symbolism, imagery, gothic element, the background and experiences of Emily and the comparison between other works. The critics and scholars strain their brains to dig up the profound and practical meaning from this great work in an attempt to apply it to the modern society. Symbolism is one of the reasons to account for the charm of this novel. This novel grows out of the sittings, characters, plots, images and events. The symbolic settings of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange are important to the novel. Through the symbolic scenes, the different atmospheres have been presented lively. The characters complicated psychological activities become concrete, visual and acceptable through the use of symbolism. It offers Emily the opportunity to analyze the contradiction of her age through the interesting story. As E.M. Frost interprets Wuthering Heights, “the emotions of Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw function differently to other emotions in fiction.they surround them like thunder clouds, and generate the explosions that fills the novel. Wuthering Heights is filled with sound-storm and rushing wind, a sound more important than words and thoughts.” (Frost,2001:66) David Cecil said that Wuthering Heights is a symbol of natural philosophy of Emily and what Emily wants to display is the conflict between storm and serenity of the cosmos instead of that of the goodness and the wickedness in the society. (Cecil,2002:180) The relation between nature and civilization undoubtedly catches the eyes of the academia. Foreign scholars get a lot of remarkable achievements about this novel. Stevie Davies says that although nature and civilization is in constant fierce dialogue, nature will tame and nourish nature just as little Catherine conquers Hareton with knowledge. (Davies,2004:247) Cecil reveals that there are the opposite forces in the novelnature and civilization, but they are the components of a harmony instead of conflicting with each other. (Cecil,2002:87) Virginia Woolf proclaims that the world is split apart by two kinds of extremes and what Emily wants to do is to make the chaotic world harmonious. (Woolf,2001:77) There are also a lot of achievements in our country. Dong Rui thinks the philosophical relation between nature and civilization should reach a compromise. If the contradiction between them is not solved well, the disasters will occur. (董瑞, 2009:1-39) Xi Xia holds that nature and civilization will be enemy forever. The rules of the civilized world repress the wonderful humanity and bring tragedy to human. (奚霞,2011:1-31) Liang Xi points out that although the conflict between nature and civilization is inevitable, the tendency of them is in harmony. (梁昕,2005:96-99) Chen Maolin thinks that the conflict between nature and civilization is ever-lasting. But their co-existence will be good to the development of society. (陈茂林,2007:69-73) Pei Jiejun is opposite to them. He holds that the civilization is detrimental to the humanity and the violation of civilization should be responsible for the twist of the humanity. (裴洁俊,2011:261) Zhou Qinghe says the tragic end of the uneventful love is the result of the struggle between personality and culture. (周庆贺,2003:77-78) Fu Xiaoping thinks that people have wonderful humanity and the civilization is the best direction for people. (付小平,2009:42-43) In this paper I want to discuss the conflict between nature and civilization in terms of the symbolism. This paper will be divided into four parts. The first part is introduction. This part will focus on the importance of the writer and scholars achievements on Wuthering Heights. The second part is chapter one. In this part I will talk about the symbolic meaning of Wuthering Heights and the natural life in this place. The third part is chapter two. In this part I will pay my attention to the symbolic meaning of Thrushcross Grange and the repressed life in Thrushcross Grange. In the fourth part conclusion will be given. Through the comparison of the natural life in Wuthering Heights and the tortured life in Thrushcross Grange, Emily summons people to return to the simple but happy life. At the same time, Emily gives a fierce attack against the values of the Victorian Age, such as the hierarchical system and vanity.2. The Life of Nature in Wuthering Heights Emily Bront is a master of symbolism. In Wuthering Heights she condenses an endless and real world into a small thing. Virginia Woolf says that both Emily and Charlotte are inclined to resort to the power of nature. (Woolf,2001:148)The landscapes under their pens are permeated with affection. Emily uses them to disclose the theme of the novel instead of decorating the tedious words. The most remarkable symbolism in this novel is the conflict between nature and civilization. Thus Wuthering Heights is by no means a simple name of a house but the token of the untamed nature. 2.1 Wuthering Heightsthe Symbol of Nature Located in the desolate and boundless moor, Wuthering Heights mirrors the coarse and humble aspect of nature. It is dominated by heavy winds and severe atmosphere. Its name “Wuthering”, a provincial adjective, indicates that it exposes itself in the stormy weather and stands the tumult bravely. “One may guess the power of the north wind blowing over the edge, by the excessive slant of a few stunted firs at the end of the house; and by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the sun.” (Bront,1999:2) Wuthering Heights stands in the dangerous moor so that the people who are acquainted with it will lost their way. People are easily trapped in the lethal swamp. The atmosphere of Wuthering Heights means that it is a world of nature which is pure and intact. The world is not touched and polluted by the civilized world. Anything that wants to violate it is forbidden. The primitive wilderness of nature finds adequate expression in Wuthering Heights. But Wuthering Heights is also surrounded by the beautiful heathers. One can feel the fresh air and see the rippling creeks in the moor. Wuthering Heights never lacks the charming and beautiful aspect of nature. Therefore, Wuthering Heights is the epitome of nature, which owns the internal destruction and primitive wilderness as well as the inviolable peace. The people in Wuthering Heights live a simple and even unadorned life. People can know it clearly when they have a scrutiny on the layout of the parlor. Shoddy guns, various food and the barking puppies can been seen everywhere. Mr. Lockwood gives us the description of life in Wuthering Heights. “One step brought us into the family sitting-room, without any introductory lobby or passage: they call it here the house preeminently.at least I distinguished a chatter of tongues, and a chatter of culinary utensils, deep within.” (Bronte,1999:2) Obviously there is a correspondence between the atmosphere of Wuthering Heights and the life here. The wild and free atmosphere exerts great influence on the people of Wuthering Heights. They are strong, good-hearted and have stormy personalities. For example, when Mr. Lockwood is attacked by the dogs, “a lusty dame, with tucked-up gown, bare arms, and fire-flushed cheeks, rushed into the midst of us flourishing a frying-pan”. (Bront,1999:4) Old Mr. Earnshaw ignores others opinions and regards a humble Gypsy boy as “a gift of God”. (Bront,1999:29) Seemingly Nelly is disgusted with Heathcliff but she gives him the encouragements and love of mother. Wuthering Heights is a simple and natural world with simple people.2.2 The Wilderness of Catherine and Heathcliff Forged by the rugged surroundings, Catherine and Heathcliff are the sons of nature. They are strong, rebellious and kind. Heathcliff is far from the restrictions of various norms of society and his heart is never open to the Christian thoughts. Catherine is far from the commotion and secular things and she keeps her heart intact. All the years around she runs across the barren moor and enjoys the pleasure that nature brings to her. Their wild and pure personalities are in debt to the beautiful and free nature. When scolded by all the people, Catherine behaves arrogantly and thinks she is the happiest girl in the world. She has a gift to turn Josephs religious curses into ridicule and she always defies the authority of her father. As a daughter of nature, she behaves without affectation and bears little resemblance to the girls of her age. Her wildness finds adequate expression in the comment of Nelly. “she put all of us past our patience fifty times and oftener in a day. from the hour she came down stairs till the hour she went to bed, we had not a minutes security that she wouldnt be in mischief. Her spirits were always at high-water mark, her tongue always goingsinging, laughing, and plaguing everybody who would not do the same” (Bront,1999:34) Far from the hypocritical civilization, this “wild and wicked girl” has the “bonniest eye, and sweetest smile, and lightest foot in the parish.” (Bront, 1999:34) Heathcliffs name is the combination of the word “heath” and “cliff”. The name always reminds people of dangers and destruction. When he appears in the novel, he is so impressive that everyone calls him “the wild child”. Nature is his paradise and he always finds comfort in it when he is painful. Even his wilderness cannot be prevented by the tyrannical rules of Hindley who bears an ancient grudge against him. What Hindley wants to do is to deprive happiness of Heathcliff but he fails. Although he degrades Heathcliff and obliges him to do the arduous work, Heathcliff can get happiness in the moor. “It is one of their chief amusements to run away to the moors in the morning and remain there all day, and after punishment grew a little thing to laugh at. The curate might set as many chapters as he pleased for Catherine to get by heart, and Joseph might thrash Heathcliff till his arm ached; they forgot everything the minute they were together again.”(Bront,1999:37) The two children love each other deeply. They have a better understanding that they are made by the same thing and both of them are sons of nature. All the punishments will be ignored when they consign themselves to nature. The bleak and boundless moor is their harbor of their exhausted hearts. The moor offers them a place to relax their wild spirits. Although there are various troubles in Wuthering Heights, such as the afflicts imposed by stubborn Joseph who attempts to curb their wilderness with the Christian thoughts, rebellious Catherine and Heathcliff always get happiness from their fierce revolts. The funny and free experiences in Wuthering Heights have been kept in the diary of Catherine: “H, and I are going to rebel we took our initiatory step this evening. I took my dingy volume by the scroop, and hurled it into the dogkennel, vowing I hated a good book. Heathcliff kicked his to the same place.”(Bront,1999:17) Both of them are opposite to the boring and routine religious 6rituals. They think those are responsible for the repressed nature. This rebellious spirit stems from their wild and free personality which is endowed by nature. During their revolts against Hindley, they find the elements of wilderness in each other. This untamed nature offers them the happy world. Catherine tells Nelly that her life in Wuthering Heights is much better than Heaven because Heathcliff is here. This is also a reason why Catherine wants to relive this unforgettable experiences when she is tormented to death by two kinds of tremendous forces after her marriage. It is a kind of vehement and destructive love which is unpolluted by the secular things, such as fame, wealth and social status. Maybe the happy and pure life in Wuthering Heights is a good reason why Catherine looks down upon Thrushcross Grange and asks Edgar to bury her in the moorher only way to return to nature. Emily is a worshiper of nature. Her frantic love towards the bleak moor of her hometown is beyond peoples imagination. All the years around, her solitary figure can be seen in the moor. Only in the untrodden moor, is her heart permeated with glee and freedom. Once she is far from the moor and trapped in the social life, the strong feeling of uneasiness will seize her. (Bront,1999:55) Wuthering Heights is no more than the duplicate of the hometown of Emily. Emily thinks that nature provides people with a more simple but pure life. Through the description of the life of Wuthering Heights, the happy, healthy and natural life is presented to people. Emily displays her opinion through the words of Mr. Lockwood. After hearing the story of Catherine and Heathcliff, Mr. Lockwood, the tenant of Wuthering Heights, speaks highly of its atmosphere. He thinks people here acquire more happiness than people in towns because “they do live in earnest, more in themselves, and less in surface change, and frivolous external things”. (Bront,1999:7) Therefore, he believes that this place is suitable for the existence of the love. Although the life in Wuthering Heights is humble and coarse, people can get felicity.3. The Life of Civilization in Thrushcross GrangeThe Victorian period also witnesses the burgeoning development of capitalist society. But it strengthens and fastens the conflict between nature and civilization. The civilized world is encroaching on the territory of nature and it exerts great influence on the values and lifestyles of human. People get comfortable life at the cost of some good qualities of the natural world. It is a complicated world full of various vices and it will kill peoples primitive happiness. This world is defined as vanity fair by William Makepeace Thackeray. As a brilliant representative of critical realism, Emily is never indifferent to the existence of civilization and the fierce battle between nature and civilization. Besides Wuthering Heights, Emily builds a civilized worldThrushcross Grange.3.1 Thrushcross Grangethe Symbol of Civilization Making a sharp contrast with the Wuthering Heights, Thrushcross Grange is the epitome of the civilized society, a place to manifest