Reflection On The Spiritual Perplexity

In the process of industrialization, mankind has greatly improved their material life with the advancement of science and technology and created a splendid civilization. In the meantime, mankind has also entered an era of ecological crisis gradually. Ecological crisis is a state of human-induced ecological disorder that could lead to the destruction of ecological conditions on this planet, which could in turn deepen the spiritual crisis. To some extent, the plight of modern man's existence results from the interaction between ecological crisis and spiritual crisis.The impact of ecological crisis can now be felt strongly in many fields, literature with no exception. Such influence can be better interpreted by a literary critical theory rising in a state of ecological degradation—Ecocriticism. Ecocriticism is one of the most recent interdisciplinary fields that have emerged in literary and cultural studies. It began in the 1970s, burgeoned in the late 1990s and is still experiencing its booming development at present. Stressing the linkage between the literary texts and the natural world, it is developed against the background of the increasingly severe environmental crisis. Due to its broad scope of inquiry and vision, Ecocriticism has been integrated with other literary theories and disciplines by many critics. With the appearance and formation of Ecocriticism, it is possible to see the classic literary works in the light of the new theory.This thesis tries to interpret The Catcher in the Rye by Jerome David Salinger from the perspective of Ecocriticism. Through the analysis, the author intends to get a deeper penetration of the inner world of adolescents so as to offer a better understanding of Holden's spiritual perplexity and his ecological complex, who is the novel's narrator and protagonist. In this way, the author hopes to offer people proper, timely guidance, bridging the spiritual gap between the real and the ideal, and awaken their ecological consciousness.The thesis consists of five parts. Introduction aims to give a brief survey of the current study on The Catcher in the Rye. Ever since its publication in 1951, critics home and abroad have attempted to analyze it from various aspects. Since 1970 with the appearance of Ecocriticism, the research fields on Salinger's works have been broadened. Different to some extent from the former analysis, the thesis attempts to analyze the novel from the ecological perspective to reveal the traces of the ecological consciousness Holden embraces in his own spiritual life.Chapter one mainly deals with Ecocriticism, especially the deep ecology, which the author of this thesis will apply to the study. This chapter first gives a brief introduction of Ecocriticism and then explores the deep ecology in detail. This part also touches on the aim of Ecocriticism as well as ecological consciousness, which paves the way for a better understanding of the following parts.Chapter two demonstrates the writing background of the novel in general and of the author in particular. A brief introduction to the famous American writer J. D. Salinger and his time is firstly offered here. Secondly, this chapter explores the relationship between Salinger and Buddhism as well as Taoism, which is considered as great Eastern sources for deep ecology. Deeply impressed by the concept of Zen Buddhism and Taoism, Salinger has led a reclusive life in backwoods of New Hampshire since 1960s. He has steadfastly refused to talk or write about his life, and indeed, apparently has done all he can to keep others from invading his privacy. His practice is a reflection of his desire to return to nature and go back to the simple, plain and primitive way of life.Chapter three is a priority of this thesis. It is mainly concerned with the analysis of Holden's ecological consciousness. Holden strongly opposes what society requires him to do and the phony and sophisticated adult world. On the contrary, he shows deep concern and sympathy for the living things in nature, especially the duck and fish in the Central Park. Holden's desire for returning to nature and his love for all the living things in nature can help awaken people into pondering over the relationship between man and nature in today's ecological civilization era.Conclusion tries to summarize the ecological consciousness of Salinger and Holden as well as its social significance. From the perspective of the whole ecological benefit, people are supposed to take the ecological responsibility, to respect the values and rights of all forms of life and to greatly enrich spiritual lives.