美国文学课件4.ppt
Lecture 4American LiteratureAmerican LiteratureObjectivesEnabletheSstoknowthebackground,representativewritersandtheirworksoftheRomanticperiodinAmericanliteraryhistory;Enable theSstoappreciateHawthornesstylebyaclosereadingof“TheMinistersBlackVeil”EnabletheSstoknowhowtoappreciatepoemsbyanalyzingEdgarAllanPoes“AnnabelLee”fromtheperspectiveofformandthemeetc.TeachingMaterialsHawthorne“TheMinistersBlackVeil”HenryWadsworthLongfellow“APsalmofLife”EdgarAllanPoe“AnnabelLee”TeachingMethodologyLecturingText-analysisLeadingwritersRalphWaldoEmerson(1803-1882)HenryDavidThoreau(1817-1862)ManifestoIn1836thepublicationofNaturebyEmersonpushedAmericanRomanticismintoanewphase,thephaseofNewEnglandTranscendentalism.Nature isregardedastheBibleofNewEnglandTranscendentalism.Itsaysinthebook:“TheUniverseiscomposedofNatureandtheSoul.”“Spiritispresenteverywhere.”AboutTranscendentalismClub:TranscendentalistClubTranscendentalistjournal:The DialSources:-GermanIdealism,-GermanTranscendentalism-AmericanPuritanism.DefinitionbyEmerson“WhatisprobablycalledTranscendentalismamongusisidealism;idealismasappearsin1842.”Transcendental:Whateverbelongstotheclassofintuitive(直觉的)thoughtMainIdeas(Features)ofN.E.T.1.placingemphasisonspirit,ortheOversoul,asthemostimportantthingintheuniverse-anewwayoflookingattheworld2.stressingtheimportanceoftheindividual.-anewwayoflookingatman3.offeringafreshperceptionofnatureassymbolicofSpiritorGodNewEnglandTranscendentalismwas,inactuality,RomanticisminPuritansoil.RalphWaldoEmersonThe American Scholar-IntellectualDeclarationofIndependenceNature-theBibleofNewEnglandTranscendentalismEmersonsaestheticsbroughtaboutarevolutioninAmericanliteratureingeneralandinAmericanpoetryinparticular.ItmarkedthebirthoftrueAmericanpoetryandtrueAmericanpoetssuchasWaltWhitmanandEmilyDickinson.Heembodiedanewnationsdesireandstruggletoassertitsownidentityinitsformativeperiod.HenryDavidThoreau(1817-1862)A Week on the Concord and Merrimack RiversWalden-aprophetofindividualisminAmericanliteratureHewasoneofthethreegreatAmericanauthorsofthelastcenturywhohadnocontemporaryreadersandyetbecamegreatinthiscentury.HermanMelvilleEmilyDickinson.Herman Melville (1819-1891)His life represents:His life represents:one of the greatest one of the greatest tragedies in the North tragedies in the North American literary history,American literary history,one of the greatest one of the greatest losses to American losses to American literature,literature,one of the most one of the most disgraceful episodes of disgraceful episodes of critical stupidity in the critical stupidity in the United States United States Works 1.Redburn 1849 2.Typee 1846 3.Omoo 1874 4.Moby Dick 1851 5.Mardi 1849 6.White Jacket 1850 7.Pierre 1852 8.Billy Budd 1924 Themes of Moby Dick1.Search for truth The story deals with the human pursuit of truth and the meaning of existence.2.Conflict between Good and Evil.3.Conflict between Man and Nature.4.Isolation between man and man;man and nature;man and society.5.Solipsism.Symbols 1)The PequodThe Pequod is a symbol of doom.It is painted a gloomy black and covered in whale teeth and bones,literally bristling with the mementos of violent death.It is,in fact,marked for death.Adorned like a primitive coffin,the Pequod becomes one.)2)Moby DickMoby Dick possesses various symbolic meanings for various individuals.1)Symbol of nature for human beings,because it is mysterious,powerful,unknown.2)Symbol of evil for the Captain Ahab.3)Symbol of good and purity because of its whiteness.3)Voyage of the Pequod Symbol of the pursuit of ideals,adventure,and the hunt in the vast wilderness.4)AhabSymbol of solipsism,revenge and then evil.5)Sea Symbol of vastness,loneliness,and isolation.EvaluationMoby Dick is,critics have agreed,one of the worlds greatest masterpieces.To get to know the 19th century American mind and America itself,one has to read this book.One of the classics of American Literature and even world literature.Moby Dick is an encyclopedia of everything,history,philosophy,religion,etc.in addition to a detailed account of the operations of the whaling industry.6.Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864)Worksa)Twice-Told Tales1837 b)Mosses from an Old Manse1843c)The Scarlet Letter1850Collections of short stories故事故事重述重述古宅青苔古宅青苔红字红字d)The House of the Seven Gables1851e)The Blithedale Romance 1852d)The Marble Faun 1860七个尖角阁的房子七个尖角阁的房子福谷传奇福谷传奇大理石雕像大理石雕像g)“Young Goodman Brown”h)“The Ministers Black Veil”g)“Dr.Rappacinis Daughter”好小伙好小伙儿布朗儿布朗教长的教长的黑面纱黑面纱拉普齐拉普齐尼博士的尼博士的女儿女儿 LifeHawthorne was born in Salem Massachusetts.Some of his ancestors were men of prominence(突出突出)in the Puritan theocracy of seventeenth-century New England.One of them was a colonial magistrate,notorious for his part in the persecution of the Quakers,and another was a judge at the Salem Witchcraft Trial in 1692.When Nathaniel was four,his father died on a voyage in Surinam,Dutch Guinea,but maternal(母系的)(母系的)relatives recognized his literary talent and financed his education at Bowdoin College.Among his classmates were many of the important literary and political figures of the day:writer Horatio Bridge,Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,and future President Franklin Pierce.These prominent friends supplied Hawthorne with government employment in the lean times,allowing him time to bloom as an author.Like James Fenimore Cooper,Hawthorne was extremely concerned with conventionality传统传统;his first pseudonymously published short stories imitated Sir Walter Scott,as did his 1828 self-published Fanshawe.Hawthorne later formally withdrew most of this early work,discounting it as the work of inexperienced youth.From 1836 to 1844 the Boston-centered Transcendentalist movement,led by Ralph Waldo Emerson,was an important force in New England intellectual circles.Hawthornes fiance Sophia Peabody drew him into the newness,and in 1841 Hawthorne invested$1500 in the Brook Farm Utopian Community,leaving disillusioned within a year.His later works show some Transcendentalist influence,including a belief in individual choice and consequence,and an emphasis on symbolism.As Americas first true psychological novel,The Scarlet Letter would convey these ideals;contrasting puritan morality with passion and individualism.Influences on Hawthorne Salem-early childhood,later work at the Custom House.Puritan family background-one of his forefathers was Judge Hathorne,who presided over the Salem witchcraft trials,1692.Belief in the existence of the devil.Belief in determinism.Major Themes in Hawthornes Fiction Alienation(疏远)(疏远)-a character is in a state of isolation because of self-cause,or societal cause,or a combination of both.Initiation(创始)(创始)-involves the attempts of an alienated character to get rid of his isolated condition.Problem of Guilt-a characters sense of guilt forced by the puritanical heritage or by society;also guilt vs.innocence.Pride-Hawthorne treats pride as evil.He illustrates the following aspects of pride in various characters:physical pride(Robin),spiritual pride(Goodman Brown,Ethan Brand),and intellectual pride(Rappaccini).Puritan New England-used as a background and setting in many tales.Italian background-especially in The Marble Faun.Allegory(寓言)(寓言)-Hawthornes writing is allegorical,didactic(说教)(说教)and moralistic.(道德说教的)Other themes include:individual vs.society,self-fulfillment vs.frustration,hypocrisy vs.integrity,love vs.hate,exploitation(利用,剥削)(利用,剥削)vs.hurting,fate vs.free will.Features of his workssetting themes Idea FeaturetechniquePuritan New EnglandEvil&sin“black vision”toward human beingsAmbiguity symbolismThe Scarlet LetterHester ChillingworthDimmesdale Pearl SinevilAdulteryAbilityAngelThe Scarlet Letter represents the height of Hawthornes literary genius;dense with terse(用词简练的)(用词简练的)descriptions.It remains relevant for its philosophical and psychological depth,and continues to be read as a classic tale on a universal theme(secret sin).The Ministers Black VeilQuestions to answer:1.What happened at the morning service?What was the effect of the black veil upon the villagers?What was the suject of the sermon?1.Key:Mr.Hooper wore a black veil.The second Paragraph in P302.The 16th line in Paragraph 3 in P302.2.What happened in the afternoon?Do you think Mr.Hooper had anything to do with the young maidens death?Why or why not?2.Key:In Paragraph 1 in P304.3.What happened on that night?3.Key:In the last Paragraph in P304 and 1st Paragraph in P305.4.What happened the next day?4.Key:In the second Paragraph in P305 and 1st Paragraph in P306.The villagers were talking about the black veil.They sent deputation to talk with Mr.Hooper.5.What cause did Mr.Hooper give Elizabeth not to take off the black veil?5.Key:In the second Paragraph from thebottom in P307 and 2nd Paragraph in P308.6.What happened at the death-bed of Mr.Hooper?6.Key:In the 1st Paragraph in P311 and the sixth Paragraph in P312 7.Why did Mr.Hooper persist in wearing the black veil until his death?7.Key:In the last Paragraph in P312.Technique SymbolismPsychological insight Hawthorne as a Literary Artist First professional writer-college educated,familiar with the great European writers,and influenced by puritan writers like Cotton Mather.Hawthorne displayed a love for allegory and symbol.He dealt with tensions involving:light versus dark;warmth versus cold;faith versus doubt;heart versus mind;internal versus external worlds.Reasons for Hawthornes Current PopularityReasons for Hawthornes Current Popularity Hawthornes use of psychological analysis(pre-Freudian)is of interest today.In themes and style,Hawthornes writings look ahead to Henry James,William Faulkner,and Robert Penn Warren 7.Henry Wadsworth Longfellow(1807-1882)Longfellow was early fond of reading-Washington Irvings Sketch-Book was his favorite Among Longfellows classmates at Bowdoin College was Nathaniel Hawthorne,whom he helped later reviewing warmly his Twice-Told Tales.In 1836 Longfellow began teaching in Harvard Longfellow settled in Cambridge,where he remained for the rest of his life Queen Victoria,who was his great admirer,invited him to tea The poets 70th birthday in 1877 was celebrated around the country Longfellow died in Cambridge on March 24,1882.In London his marble image is seen in Westminster Abbey,in the Poets Corner Works of LongfellowVoices of the Night 1839夜籁集Ballads and other Poems 1841歌谣及其他The Belfry of Bruges and other Poems布鲁茨的钟楼及其他Evangeline:a Tale of Acadie 1847伊凡吉林The Song of Hiawatha海华沙之歌Tales of a Wayside Inn1863,1872,1873路边酒肆的故事Poetic FeaturesHis reputation as a major American Poet declined between the two wars for the gentleness and sweetness,and the common subjects He is lacking in passion and high imagination His style and subjects are conventional compared with modern poets He made a great contribution to the flowering of New England Americans owe a great debt to Longfellow because he was among the first of American writers to use native themesAPsalmofLife(生命之歌)朗费罗朗费罗人生颂人生颂 A Psalm of Life 年青人的心对歌者说的话年青人的心对歌者说的话 不要在哀伤的诗句里告诉我:不要在哀伤的诗句里告诉我:Tell me not,in mornful numbers,“人生不过是一场幻梦!人生不过是一场幻梦!”Life is but an empty dream!灵魂睡着了,就等于死了,灵魂睡着了,就等于死了,For the soul is dead that slumbers,事物的真相与外表不同。事物的真相与外表不同。And things are not what they seem.人生是真切的!人生是实在的!人生是真切的!人生是实在的!Life is real!Life is earnest!它的归宿决不是荒坟;它的归宿决不是荒坟;And the grave is not its goal;“你本是尘土,必归于尘土你本是尘土,必归于尘土”,Dust thou art,to dust returnest,这是指躯壳,不是指灵魂。这是指躯壳,不是指灵魂。Was not spoken of the soul.我们命定的目标和道路我们命定的目标和道路 Not enjoyment,and not sorrow,不是享乐,也不是受苦;不是享乐,也不是受苦;Is our destined end or way;而是行动,在每个明天而是行动,在每个明天 But to act,that each to-morrow 都超越今天,跨出新步。都超越今天,跨出新步。Find us farther than to-day.智艺无穷,时光飞逝;智艺无穷,时光飞逝;Art is long,and Time is fleeting,这颗心,纵然勇敢坚强,这颗心,纵然勇敢坚强,And our hearts,though stout and brave,也只如鼙鼓,闷声敲动着,也只如鼙鼓,闷声敲动着,Still,like muffled drums,are beating 一下又一下,向坟地送丧。一下又一下,向坟地送丧。Funeral marches to the grave.世界是一片辽阔的战场,世界是一片辽阔的战场,In the worlds broad field of battle,人生是到处扎寨安营;人生是到处扎寨安营;In the bivouac of life,莫学那听人驱策的哑畜,莫学那听人驱策的哑畜,Be not like dumb,driven cattle!做一个威武善战的英雄!做一个威武善战的英雄!Be a hero in the strife!别指望将来,不管它多可爱!别指望将来,不管它多可爱!Trust no Future,howeer pleasant!把已逝的过去永久掩埋!把已逝的过去永久掩埋!Let the dead Past bury its dead!行动吧趁着活生生的现在!行动吧趁着活生生的现在!Act,-act in the living Present!心中有赤心,头上有真宰!心中有赤心,头上有真宰!Heart within,and God oevhead!伟人的生平启示我们:伟人的生平启示我们:Lives of great men all remind us 我们能够生活得高尚,我们能够生活得高尚,We can make our lives sublime,而当告别人世的时候,而当告别人世的时候,And,departing,leave behind us 留下脚印在时间的沙上;留下脚印在时间的沙上;Footprints on the sand of time;也许我们有一个兄弟也许我们有一个兄弟 Footprints,that perhaps another,航行在庄严的人生大海,航行在庄严的人生大海,Sailing oer lifes solemn main,遇险沉了船,绝望的时刻,遇险沉了船,绝望的时刻,A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,会看到这脚印而振作起来。会看到这脚印而振作起来。Seeing,shall take heart again.那么,让我们起来干吧,那么,让我们起来干吧,Let us,then,be up and doing,对任何命运要敢于担戴;对任何命运要敢于担戴;With a heart for any fate;不断地进取,不断地追求,不断地进取,不断地追求,Still achieving,still pursuing,要善于劳动,善于等待。要善于劳动,善于等待。Learn to labor and to wait.据钱钟书先生考证,朗费罗的名篇据钱钟书先生考证,朗费罗的名篇人生颂人生颂是英语诗歌中是英语诗歌中最早译成汉语的一首。最早译成汉语的一首。8.Edgar Allan Poe(1809-1849)father of modern short storyfather of detective storyfather of psychoanalytic criticism1)Worksa)Tales of the Grotesque and the Arabesqueb)“MS.Found in a Bottle”C)“The Murders in the Rue Morgue”奇异怪诞故事集瓶子里发现的手稿毛格街杀人案d)“The Fall of the House of Usher”e)“The Masque of the Red Death”f)“The Cask of Amontillado”厄舍古屋的厄舍古屋的倒塌倒塌红色死亡的化妆舞会一桶酒的故事g)The Ravenh)Israfel i)Annabel Lee j)To Helen乌鸦乌鸦伊斯拉菲尔伊斯拉菲尔安娜贝尔安娜贝尔李李致海伦致海伦k)The Poetic Principle l)The Philosophy of Composition诗歌诗歌原理原理创作创作哲学哲学2)LifeFamous American Poet,short-story writer and critic.AppreciationofAnnabelLeeThetheme:ThepoemisbelievedtohavebeendedicatedtothememoryofPoeswife,VirginiaClemm,whodiedin1847attheageof26.Theform:Poestressesrhythm,definestruepoetryas“therhythmicalcreationofbeauty”Itisanelaboratedisplayofpuretechniquewithlittleornosubstance.Itspoetryexistsinitsingeniouscreationofsounds.Foot(音格)Itisthemetricalunitbywhichalineofpoetryismeasured.It is a specific combination ofstressedandunstressedsyllables.Afootusuallyconsists of one stressed and one or twounstressed syllables.A vertical line is used toseparate the feet.A foot of poetry can bearranged in a variety of patterns.The mostcommonlyusedfeetareasfollows:FootPattern(1)Theiambicfoot,consistingofanunstressedsyllablefollowedbyastressedsyllable.What kept/his eyes/from giv/ingback/thegazeThefa/llingout/offaith/fulfriends/,renew/ingis/oflove.(2)The trochaic foot,consisting of astressedsyllablefollowedbyanunstressedsyllable.HewaslouderthanthepreacherDouble,double,toil,andtrouble(3)The anapestic foot,two unstressedsyllablesfollowedbyastressedsyllable.IammonarchofallIsurveyFor the moon/never beams/withoutbring/ingmedreams.(4)The dactylic foot,consisting of astressedsyllablefollowedbytwounstressedsyllables.Slowlythe/mistoerthe/meadowwas/creeping.Thisisthe/forestpri/meval:the/murmuring/pinesandthe/hemlocks(5)Spondaicfoot扬扬格MeterMeterisaregularpatternofstressedandunstressedsyllables.Thenumberoffeetinalinedeterminesitsmeter.Englishpoetryincludesthefollowingeightkindsoflines:Kinds of meter1).Monometerl