An Affirmative Voice In Wasteland

As one of the most influential figures in contemporary American literature, Saul Bellow shows great concerns for the real needs and aspirations of modern human being. Affirmative, and optimistic, Bellow's works depict human existence and explore the grace and dignity within everyone.Bellow has a strong sense of morality, so his works demonstrate a strong moral sense, ethical optimism and rejection of the denigration of human life. This thesis is to probe into his view of ethics.The dissertation consists of five parts. The first part gives a brief review of Saul Bellow's life and his works as well as an introduction to the structure of this thesis. Part Two focuses on the sources of Saul Bellow's ethics. Saul Bellow is under the influence of his Jewish background, the American literary tradition and existentialism. Part Three is the specific analysis of Bellow's ethics. Bellow attacks the literature prophets of doom by pointing out that many American writers fail to realize their responsibility as a writer. He calls for positive literary creation. The task of writers, according to Bellow, is to discover and affirm the human nature. Bellow is optimistic about the nobility of human beings. Part Four centers on the analysis of his three major works, Henderson the Rain King, Herzog, Seize the Day, to reflect his view of ethics. Bellow affirms the meaningful individual life and the transformation of the alienated heroes. Part Five is a conclusion, which reaffirms Bellow's view of ethics.