《劝导》中主要人物分析

1、湖南文理学院芙蓉学院本科生毕业论文题 目 学生姓名 学 号 专业班级 指导教师 完成时间 2012年5月 THE SYNTAX OF NOUN PHRASESTHESISSubmitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements forThe degree of Bachelor of ArtsIn Furong College, Hunan University of Arts and ScienceBySupervisor:May 2009Furong College, Hunan University of Arts and Science摘

2、 要 于1816年完成的劝导是简·奥斯丁的最后一部小说。该小说与她人生中的其他五部小说比较起来，在创作上可谓是独树一帜，因为无论是在人物塑造上或是在叙事手法上它都更趋成熟和完美。为此，本文试图从性格和思想等角度出发，对劝导中的主要人物形象进行细微的分析，从而为读者解读该作品提供一个新的视角，帮助他们进一步领略奥斯丁创作的独特魅力和体会她内心丰富的创作思想以及帮助他们更好地掌握该作品在当代社会文化的背景下的重要启示意义。关键词：劝导；简·奥斯丁；人物形象；分析i AbstractPersuasion, completed in 1816, was the last novel

3、 by Jane Austen in her life. Compared with her otherr five novels, this novel can be thought of as unique in creation, because whether in characterization or the narrative techniques, it seems more mature and perfect. Therefore, in this thesis, the author attempts to give a subtle analysis to the ma

4、in characters image in this novel from the perspective of their personalities and thoughts, offer a new perspective for the readers to interpret the novel, and help them to further appreciate Austins unique creating charm and feel her rich creating thought and finally help them to understand better

5、the enlightenment significance of this work under the background of contemporary social culture. Key words: Persuasion; Jane Austen; Character Image; Analysisii Contents摘 要 .iAbstract .iiIntroduction.1Chapter 1 A Generalization of the Author and the Novel.21.1 A Generalization of the Author.21.2 A G

6、eneralization of the Novel. 4Chapter 2An Analysis on the Main Characters in Persuasion6 2.1 An Analysis on Anne.62.2 An Analysis on Wentworth.92.3 An Analysis on Walter Elliot.10Chapter 3 The Influence of the Works and the Characters 13 3.1 The Influence of Persuasion.13 3.2 Annes Influence.15 3.3 W

7、entworths Influence.17 3.4 Walter Elliots Influence.19Conclusion.21Bibliography.23AcknowledgementsiiiB.A. Thesis IntroductionIntroductionAll of Jane Austens famous works have long since been analyzed and discussed by the literary critics. Thanks to Austens acclaimed wit and ironic narrative style, P

8、ersuasion is widely appreciated as a moving love story despite what has been labelled as a simple plot. Although the impact of Austens failing health when writing this novel cannot be overlooked, the novel is strikingly original in several ways. Untill now, there are quite a lot of people making res

9、earches on this novel. However, when observing these works carefully, we can find that most of these studies on feminine concept of marriage and money in the authors pen. And there is almost no works working on the female images of the characters or the excellent quality that these female images ref

10、lect for our modern female to use for reference. Facing this situation in the research field, in this paper the author, starts from the female images, through the detailed analysis of Anne and the other main characters in this novel, discusses Austens female thought, and at the same time, discusses

11、these characters influence in this novel. The most important is that the study in this thesis can not only help us know this novel better, but also help us to understand the social significance included in this novel.12B.A.Thesis Chapter 1 A Generalization of the author and the novelChapter 1 A Gene

12、ralization of the Author and the Novel1.1 A Generalization of the AuthorJane Austen (1775 1817) was a famous English novelist. Her works of romantic fictions, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the most widely read writers in English literature. Her realism and biting social c

13、ommentary have gained her historical importance among scholars and critics. Austen was born in Steventon Town on December 16, 1775. She acquired the remainder of education by reading books, guided by her father and brothers James and Henry. As early as 1787, Austen began to write poems, stories, and

14、 plays for her own and her family's amusement. In 1793, Austen began a short play and then abandoned it, later entitled Sir Charles Grandison or the Happy Man, a comedy in 6 acts, which she returned to and completed around 1800. This was a short parody of various school textbook abridgments of A

15、usten's favourite contemporary novel, The History of Sir Charles Grandison (1753), by Samuel Richardson. Scholar Honan speculates that at some point not long after writing Love and Freindship in 1789, Austen decided to write for profit, making stories her central effort, that is, to become a pro

16、fessional writer. Beginning in about 1793, she began to write longer, more sophisticated works. Between 1793 and 1795, Austen wrote Lady Susan, a short epistolary novel, usually described as her most ambitious and sophisticated early work. After finishing Lady Susan, Austen attempted her first full-

17、length novelElinor and Marianne. In mid-1815, Austen moved her work from Egerton to John Murray, a better known London publisher,G who published Emma in December. 1815 and a second edition of Mansfield Park in February, 1816. Emma sold well but the new edition of Mansfield Park did not, and this fai

18、lure offset most of the profits Austen earned on Emma. These were Austen's last novels to be published during her lifetime. While Murray prepared Emma for publication, Austen began to write a new novel she titled The Elliots, later published as Persuasion. She completed her first draft in July,

19、1816. In addition, shortly after the publication of Emma, Henry Austen repurchased the copyright for Lady Susan from Crosby. Austen was forced to postpone publishing either of these completed novels by family financial troubles. Henry Austen's bank failed in March, 1816, depriving him of all his

20、 assets, leaving him deeply in debt and causing Edward, James, and Frank Austen to lose large sums. Henry and Frank could no longer afford the contributions they had made to support their mother and sisters. After Austen's death, Cassandra and Henry Austen arranged with Murray for the publicatio

21、n of Persuasion and Northanger Abbey as a set in December, 1817.As we can see, in Austens short life, she totally has six complete novels: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice,Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Although she has only six novels, the characters in her novels

22、all make us a deep impression. Depending on ordinary circumstances to produce extraordinary works of English literature, Austen is known by many as a novelist who focuses on marriage plots and happy endings, and her works can more deeply be understood to be a study of the complex class and gender re

23、lations which underscored early-nineteenth century English middle-class society.1.2 A Generalization of Persuasion Persuasion is Jane Austens last novel to be completed. It opens with a brief history of the Elliot family as recorded in Sir Walter Elliot's favorite book, The Baronetcy. Although i

24、t has received less applause since its publication, it is still the most special one in some aspects. Just like Pride and Prejudice, it is also a tale about love and marriage, making a happy ending of marriage between the heroine and a man notably above her in incomeIn the novel, the heroine Anne El

25、liot falls in love with a handsome young naval officer named Frederick Wentworth, who is intelligent and ambitious, but poor. Sir Walter, Anne's father and lord of the family estate of Kellynch, and her older sister Elizabeth are dissatisfied with her choice, maintaining that he is not distingui

26、shed enough for their family. Anne's older friend and mentor, Lady Russell, acting in the place of her deceased mother, persuades her to break off the match. Seven years later, Anne reencounters her former love when his sister and brother-in-law, the Crofts, take out a lease on Kellynch. He beco

27、mes wealthy through wartime victories in the Royal Navy by prize for capturing enemy ships, and he has not forgiven Anne for her rejection of him. Anne is just like Jane Austen, and she becomes more mature in which the tone shows a sense of somber. The novel reflects us an important clue of the tran

28、sition of the authors values on life and her intense concern for “woman question”, especially her objective survey of the women characters. Through the study of this novel, we can find Jane Austens anxieties about persuasion and responsibility are passionately expressed here. She refuses to become p

29、art of the machinery with which Fanny is manoeuvering herself into forming the engagement. To be the stand-in motive for anothers actions frightens her. Yet Jane Austen cannot avoid the part of a persuader, even as a dissuader. B.A.Thesis Chapter 2 An Analysis on the Main Characters in PersuasionCha

30、pter 2 An Analysis on the Main Characters in Persuasion2.1An Analysis on AnneAnne Eliot, the heroine appeared in the novel, she was already 27 years old, which is different from Austens other early tewnties heroines. Besides that, Anne has gone through eight years of emotional suffering. Anne Eliot

31、is the second daughter of Sir Walter. Although she is a lady of noble birth, her life is extremely unhappy. In the early years, she loses her mother and her father and sisters are indifferent to her. So she often feels lonely, but Anne has become calm, tenacious and tolerant through these. She dose

32、not hate her vain and ruthless elder sister and the obstruction of her father. And to “Eliot-style” proud and capricious younger sister, Anne is generous. Even to Lady Russell, Anne shows her kindness. Furthermore, Anne is kind and always cares about others. For love, Anne is loyal and persevering.I

33、n addition, Annes insight can be described to be sharp. Anne is such a gentle lady that she does not like to argue with other people, which makes it possible for her to observe around peacefully. Because of the inner peace and tolerance, her perspective is broad. And because she is highly intelligen

34、t, Anne does not willing to obey others blindly or addicted to personal feelings. Anne is always delicated to observing sincerely, concerned about infecting others. She can also have an objective and impartial look at issues. In this way, Anne can always build a comfortable and hamounious emotional

35、climate, and bring the people around her good feelings of human nature.Anne is feminine but possesses none of what Austen clearly sees as the negative characteristics of her gender. She is neither catty, flighty, nor hysterical. On the contrary, she is level-headed in difficult situations and loyal

36、to her affections. Such qualities make her desirable sister marry. She is the first choice of Charles Musgrove, Captain Wentworth, and Mr. Elliot. Austen referred to her in one of her letters as “a heroine who is almost too good for me”. Austen(1818:35)writed in Persuasion that“How eloquent could An

37、ne Elliot have been,how eloquent, at least, were her wishes on the side of early warm attachment, and a cheerful confidence in futurity, against that over-anxious caution which seems to insult exertion and distrust Providence!She had been forced into prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she

38、 grew olderthe natural sequel of an unnatural beginning. ”Though Austen very frankly notes that the bloom of youth has left Anne, and that she is not the prettiest of the young ladies in the novel, in this novel, Anne has her own mind, which is clear from the way she rebels against the vanity of her

39、 father and elder sister. But Anne is not one to avoid her responsibility and duty as a member of the upper class. She understands and respects the importance of making a “suitable” match, and is offended by the prospect of someone as low as Mrs. Clay entering into her family through marriage. She i

40、s conscious of the social structure in which her relations operate, and though she may seek a bit more flexibility, she by no means wishes to seriously challenge notions of class. She falls in love with Captain Wentworth but is persuaded by her mentor, Lady Russell, to reject his proposal because of

41、 his poverty and uncertain future. As we can see, Anne has her own mind is clear from the way she rebels against the vanity of her father and elder sister. But Anne is not one to avoid her responsibility and duty as a member of the upper class. She understands and respects the importance of making a

42、 “suitable” match, and is offended by the prospect of someone as low as Mrs. Clay entering into her family through marriage. She is conscious of the social structure in which her relations operate, and though she may seek a bit more flexibility, she by no means wishes to seriously challenge notions

43、of class.In the end, Anne concludes that she is right to have been persuaded by Lady Russell, even if the advice itself is misguided. The conclusion implies that what might be considered to be Annes flaw, her ability to be persuaded by others, is not really a flaw at all. It is left to the reader to

44、 agree or disagree to this. But overall, she must be highly regarded, for in her respect for duty and with an independent mind, Anne balances passion and practicality.2.2 An Analysis on WentworthSeafares in Persuasion appears as the opposite of nobility. Its also the identity of the hero. Wentworth

45、is the first hero of Austens works who thrives not by inheritance but by personal struggle.He is the brother of the former curate of Monkford and of Mrs. Croft. Sir Walter contempts and dislikes the seafares, while Anne really appreciates them. Generally speaking, Wentworth is A naval officer who wa

46、s briefly engaged to Anne some years ago. At the time, he had no fortune and uncertain prospects, but owing to much success in the Napoleonic Wars, his situation has greatly improved. One of two brothers of Sophia Croft. But to speak in detail, Wentworth has neither wealth nor status at first, so hi

47、s proposal of marriage is refused by Sir Walter. It is this that causes him prejudice to women, so that he cant understand why Anne breaks away from him. He is very superficial understanding of women. The debate about women with his sister Mrs.Croft shows that he does not understand or respect women

48、 very much and that he even has a bias to women. He cant forget the past, full of resentment. Although he still loves Anne, he refuses to face up to the emotional expression to Anne. It makes both of them torturous.In Persuasion, Wentworth is the prototype of the new gentleman. Maintaining the good

49、manners, consideration, and sensitivity of the older type, Wentworth adds the qualities of gallantry, independence, and bravery that come with being a well-respected Naval officer. He has made his own fortune through hard work and good sense, in direct contrast to Sir Walter who has only wasted the

50、money that comes to him through his title. Without land or high birth, Captain Wentworth is not the traditional match for a woman in Anne Eliot's position. But in true Austenian fashion, his fine personal qualities are enough to surmount the now division which separates his position from that of

51、 Anne. In addition, in the novel, Captain Wentworth develops and eventually overcomes his pride and shame at being once refused, in order to make another ardent overture to his chosen bride. He begins to understand himself and treat Anne fairly. This development is a sign of a promising future for t

52、heir relationship. His ideal female will not be the wayward Louisa. It can only be highly smoldering and insightful Anne. He loves nobody except Anne. Wentworths self-awareness eliminates the psychological barrier between Anne and him. Like Admiral Croft, who allows his wife to drive the carriage al

53、ongside him and to help him steer, Captain Wentworth will defer to Anne throughout their marriage. Austen envisions this kind of equal partnership as the ideal marriage. 2.3 An Analysis on Walter Elliot Manor Walter Baron is the most corrupt and incompetent father Austen describes. In Persuasion, Si

54、r Walter is an impractical man, whose habits of lavish spending and his strong desire to maintain appearances threaten the very future of the Elliot family. He just cares about his social statues and face. He is a man without princeple and connotation, the only thing he knows is to improve his statu

55、s. And the hobby of Sir Walter is to appreciate his face, so there are many mirrors in his house. Mr.Elliot appears in the book as a gentleman of refinement in public. However, he is selfish, snobbish, and ungrateful. These are grave character flaws, which Anne does not easily forgive. But his vanit

56、y is perhaps the defining character of Sir Walter. With a dressing room surrounded by mirrors, a Baronetage book treasured for its description of the Elliot family, and a predilection to be seen only with attractive and socially important people, Sir Walter is the very image of conceit. Yet, Sir Walter's ridiculousness highlights the fact that such a kind as he is no longer the preferred version of manliness. He is an effeminate man, one who would shy away from the sun for fear of a negative reacti