Absurdity, Nothingness And Extrication

The main purpose of this dissertation is to work on the existentialistinterpretation of Samuel Beckett's novel---Murphy. The dissertation sets out to give abrief summary about the research on Murphy inland and overseas, and then proposesits thesis and significance. The main body, which on the basis of existentialisttheoretical foundation puts emphasis on the profound meanings contained in thecharacters, includes three parts: the theoretical foundation, the analysis of charactersabout their situation of being, extrication and freedom---how to liberate oneself froma corner. The dissertation is established in text reading, works on the existentialistinterpretation of Murphy, and then goes to the discussion of seeking extrication andfreedom from corners existed in the modern society. Finally, the conclusion comes asfollow: Murphy embodies the absurd being in the absurd world, and discloses thepsychological crisis in modern society;the author depicts the relationship betweencharacters in the perspective of being;the analysis of characters in three zones has itstheoretical value and practical value.There is a close logical coherence running through the whole dissertation.According to the theoretical foundation, text reading, and the existentialistinterpretation of the text, it suggests the classification of three types of characters bythe three zones in the Murphy's mind. And then, basing on the analysis of theirrelations, the dissertation explores the absurdity of the world, and the lack of meaningbeing in modern society. At the same time, the exertion of classification in thedemonstration is proved to be operable and feasible.Beckett's Murphy lays the focus on the eternal theme---the absurd being in theabsurd world. In this case, the existentialist interpretation of Murphy helps usunderstand the novel and the intention of the author clearly.