Eco-critical Studies On Jack London's Two Animal Novels

Jack London (1876-1916) is well-known in the literary world worldwide and many of his works are very popular both at home and abroad. Many Chinese readers are familiar with London's works especially his two animal novels The Call of the Wild and White Fang. Up to now, the studies on London's works mainly focus on the content, themes and writing skills. Some critics analyze the two animal novels from the perspective of naturalism and demonstrate the influence of environment and heredity on animals respectively. The thesis thinks, however, ecological consciousness can be found in the two animal novels when they are read against the background of ecocriticism.Ecocriticism emerges with deterioration of the environment. The major task of ecocriticism is to explore the relationship between human beings and nature. Ecocriticism especially focuses on the side-effects of human beings' development on environment. Human beings' development leads to deterioration of environment and ecological crises. The most practical meaning of ecocriticism is to arouse human beings' ecological consciousness in the process of reflection and criticism. So, analyzing London's animal novels from the perspective of ecocriticism has theoretical as well as practical meanings. The thesis will reread the two novels from the perspective of ecocriticism through detailed analysis of texts in order to show London's ecological consciousness.The thesis consists of four chapters. Chapter one is about current and creative studies of Jack London's two animal novels. Chapter two focuses on emergence, features and principles of ecocriticism. The principles include anti-anthropocentrism, deep ecology and ecological holism. Chapter three analyzes the reflection of the principles in the two novels. The controlling relationship between human beings and the dogs is a reflection of anthropocentrism. Obviously, London detests the human-centered views on animals. Deep ecology stresses more on nature and dog refers to nature in the novels. Deep ecology emphasizes diversity of living things and intrinsic values of each life form. The thesis first analyzes dogs' intrinsic values which include dogs' loyalty, self-respect and intelligence. All these values belong to dogs' humane personalities. And then the thesis analyzes dogs' wild personalities. The two personalities are interchangeable. The reason behind the change is human beings' attitudes towards animals. Ecological holism reflects harmonious and equal relationship between human beings and dogs in the novels. Chapter four summarizes ecological thoughts and hopes that readers can take up their own ecological responsibilities.