An Analysis Of The Connotations Of Violence In Joyce Carol Oates' Works

Joyce Carol Oates, one of the most important contemporary American writers, is celebrated for her great productivity and versatility in writing. Her works have received a lot of awards for the deepness they received. Violence, as one of her usual topics, attracts various comments from critics and readers.Firstly, the reasons for Oates' interests on violence lie on three aspects: the influence from American literature and culture tradition; her want to reflect the reality in modern America and her value of art. Secondly, by intensive reading, the article author did in-depth discussion on the meaning of violence in Oates's works from three aspects. From the view of social criticism, violence reveals the miserable life of Americans in lower classes and their twisted soul. Though Oates objects to the violent social conditions, she affirms the lower people's resistance against the unfair society through violence. So Oates depicts violence heroes such as Jues in Them. Through violence, they break through the difficulties in life, overcome self-powerless and rediscover themselves. Oates praises the human passion and courage brought by violence. The relationship between violence and women is the unique angle through which Oates expresses her female consciousness. Violence and male-oriented ideology hurt female's body and soul. In her works, Oates does valuable research on American women's living conditions. In addition, during the long-term writing, Oates's attitude toward violence has changed with her gradual maturity of thoughts.In one word, by research on Oates' interests on violence and the deep meaning of violence in her works, we can understand the violence in Oates' works more deeply and roundly.