Seize The Day And Humboldt's Gift: Reflecting The Relationship Between Father And Son In Two Contexts

Based on the theory of the British anthropologist Bronislaw Malinowski, this thesis intends to discover the relationship between father and son by blood, in spirit and in religion in Jewish cultural context and American situational context through analyzing Saul Bellow's two important works--- Seize the Day and Humboldt's Gift.The thesis is divided into three chapters according to the content Each chapter focuses on a central idea. The three chapters are about the changes of the relationship between father and son by blood, in spirit and in religion respectivelyIn the first chapter, the thesis begins to probe the changes of the father-son relationship by blood in Jewish cultural context and American situational context through analyzing Bellow's Seize the Day and Humboldt's Gift. From father and son's relationship, family relationship can be seen. The second chapter is a discussion of the changes of father and son's relationship in spirit in two contexts through interpreting Seize the Day and Humboldt's Gift. The social relationship can be inferred from the spiritual father and son. Chapter three is devoted to the changes of father and son's relationship in religion in American society with the Jewish cultural background by the detail of Seize the Day and Humboldt's Gift. The relationship between God and man can be reflected from this chapter.According to the analysis above, the conclusion is naturally drawn. The thesis has three findings based on the research questions Firstly, father and son by blood with Jewish cultural background in American situational context become indifferent and money-oriented The son generation is disappointed with the American reality and then eager to return to their ethnic tradition. The family relationship is also greatly influenced by American capital society. Secondly, father and son in spirit follow the way of harmony—estrangement, or harmony--- estrangement ---return. Through the changes, interpersonal relationship can be reflected. Jewish people become more practical and cold in American society, and the young generation can't accomplish their value of life and find their identity, so they want to return to their Jewish tradition. Finally, the tie between God and man is weakening in the modern American society. The Jewry as a whole in America dreams of resuming and strengthening their belief.