A Study Of The Rewriting Of History In Wolf Hall From The Perspective Of Spatial Narrative

Hilary Mantel is an outstanding contemporary British writer whose Wolf Hall won the Booker Prize.From the perspective of spatial narrative,this thesis explores Mantel’s rewriting of historical events,historical places,and the historical figure in Wolf Hall.This thesis consists of five parts,namely introduction,three main chapters and conclusion.The introduction introduces the author Hilary Mantel,the main content of Wolf Hall,summarizes the current research status at home and abroad and the theoretical basis of this thesis,and points out the research problems and research significance of this thesis.The first chapter points out that the novel challenges the traditional linear narrative and destructs causality at the level of text space.Hilary Mantell presents the downfall of Thomas Wolsey within the discontinuous structure,consisting of five important scenes,some of which are repeated,and the development of plot is minimized,while the scenes are faithfully recorded.The death of Thomas More is presented in the juxtaposed structure.The juxtaposition of More and Cromwell draws a comparison between them and highlights their close connection.Henry VIII’s divorce case is presented within the fragmental structure,the components of which are scattered throughout the novel,and it takes readers’ efforts to piece together the whole picture of the event.The second chapter analyzes the rewriting of major historical places at the level of physical space in the novel.Hillary Mantel portrays “the Tower” as the power space that Cromwell used to clear the way for imperial power.“York Place” is reconstructed as the battlefield during the rise of Cromwell.“Austin Friars” becomes the shelter for a number of marginal characters,Cromwell’s family members,and himself.The third chapter analyzes the rewriting of the historical figure Thomas Cromwell at the level of psychological space in the novel.Hillary Mantel presents Cromwell’s unknown past in his memory space.Cromwell’s imagination space reflects its connection with the dead.Readers can feel Cromwell’s real emotions in dream space.The conclusion summarizes and emphasizes the deeper reasons for Wolf Hall’s employment of spatial narrative.Wolf Hall rewrites historical events,historical places,and historical characters through text,physical,and psychological spaces.It manifests Hilary Mantel’s desire to deconstruct the authority of history,emphasis on the spatial dimension of history,and her intended idea of adding reading pleasures for readers.