Competition Consciousness In Freedom

Freedom is a novel of an American middle-class family at the beginning of the21 st century,presenting the protagonists' lifelong experience of exploring the true meaning of freedom.Through vivid characterization,clever plot arrangement and profound reflection of the social reality,Jonathan Franzen successfully reveals the confusion and challenges faced by modern people.This paper applies ideological criticism to analyze the cause of the protagonists' tragedy — their uncontrollable but ubiquitous competition consciousness.By discussing the influence and formation of the protagonists' competition consciousness,this paper explores the oppression on humanity of capitalist economic system and ideology.Moreover,due to the manipulation of ideology,the protagonists' rebellion against mental oppression can only end in failure,and ultimately it is difficult to achieve true freedom.In the end,through the protagonists' self-redemption,Franzen manages to show a way for modern people to develop an independent personality and to pursue true freedom,which reflects Foucault's aesthetics of existence.Competition consciousness is an important motivation in encouraging improvement for both individuals and society.Proper competition can indeed stimulate vitality and promote development,but excessive competition can only lead to damaged family bonds,broken interpersonal relationships and inadequate personality.Therefore,through the analysis of the cause of the protagonists' tragedies in the novel,this paper has realistic significance for the modern people to properly confront competition consciousness and maintain their independence under the manipulation of ideology.