The Imperialist Complex In Willa Cather's My (?)ntonia

Traditionally,My Antonia is regarded as one of the classical works in favor of the harmonious coexistence between human and nature.Many critics treat the ecological ideology expressed in this work in a positive way.This paper aims to examine the new connotation embedded in the images,including animal,plant and social images,from the perspective of Jung's complex theory in combination with the historical background of that time.Through those images,Jim,Cather suggests,can not surpass "national identity", and unconsciously manifests the defensive thought for the colonialism and the colonial expansion when the empire is thriving.With the subtle "national pride",Jim undesignedly participates in the making of the colony.The vivid images in the novel truly mirror this kind of the imperialist complex.Via the imperialist complex expressed through these images,it will help reveal the fact that Cather,a novelist of the Nebraska prairie,subjects to strong imperialist complex,which contributes to mold her stories about the American West and of her portrayal of the characters.It will hence provide the reader with a new perspective to read My Antonia and understand Cather.The thesis studies the images and Cather's imperialist complex in My(?)ntonia from the perspective of Jung's complex theory.Apart from Introduction and Conclusion,the thesis consists of two chapters.Chapter one explores the imperialist complex embedded in these images.Chapter two investigates the causes of Cather's imperialist complex.This thesis argues that though labeled as the nature writer,being a member of the colonists, Cather cannot help expressing out her superior feelings while conquering the wild prairie. In other words,Willa Cather's west prairie is in effect a colonized place,filled with pride and pulse of the conqueror after the conquest.