Oppression,Fission And Construction

Henry James(1843-1916)is one of the earliest British and American writers with spatial awareness,whose early works entail spatial dimensions and rich connotations.Washington Square(1881)is a typical novel with spatial characteristics in James’ canons.This thesis uses the fiction and narrative theory to analyze the narrative space in the novel,aiming to explore the social relations produced by space and thematic implications conveyed by the construction of space.The present thesis is composed of six parts: introduction,theoretical work,three major chapters and conclusion.The introduction of the thesis gives a brief introduction of the author and Washington Square,and presents relevant literature review in order to clarify the purpose of the writing and research framework.Following the introduction of Lefebvre’s Spatial Theory,the body presents a systematical analysis of the space in Washington Square,which corresponds to physical space,social space and mental space in Lefebvre’s Spatial Theory.To begin with,the geographical layout of and detailed description of physical space is presented in two categories: public space and private space,providing the basis of social space and psychological space.Then the social relations produced by space is explored.It is indicated that hierarchical relations in family and social class are ubiquitous.Last the thesis discusses the mental construction in characters’ psychological space and its significance in the text.Major findings are as followings through the meticulous analysis.Firstly,the physical space in Washington Square serves as an important cornerstone of the overall narrative and becomes the carrier of power.The map of physical space embodies the distribution of social power,and the detailed or simple description of physical space implies the social position of characters in public or private space.Secondly,the characters and events in physical space produce social space where various invisible social relations among the figures in different social position interact,especially hierarchy in family and social class.Hierarchy is ubiquitous and entrenched so that it is impossible for characters in inferiority to conquer it.Thirdly,the construction of the female figure’s mental space embodies her attempting to establish individual subjectivity.Although the oppression from hierarchy in James’ period is suffocating,James still keeps a little possibility for the marginalized to have a self-dominated life.