| Toni Morrison is one of the most prominent African American writers. Under the influence of the widespread postmodernism, she calls African American history into question. In her seventh novel, Paradise, she reconstructs the history of African Americans through some postmodern techniques. By analyzing such narrative techniques such as fragmentation, indeterminacy and parody in Paradise, this thesis intends to explore Morrison's deconstructive and reconstructive ideas. Through these subversive skills, Morrison deconstructs the racial and gender systems in an isolated community of African Americans and calls on them to reconstruct a utopia that is free of racial and gender boundaries.The main body of the thesis consists of three parts. Chapter One focuses on fragmentation. Morrison cuts the history and present of Ruby into shattered pieces and juxtaposes them through montage and multiple points-of-view. In her juxtaposition, Morrison usheres in narrators of different genders, challenging the male-centered narrative and deconstructing the patriarchal system in Ruby. Chapter Two explores the art of indeterminacy reflected in the novel. The author obscures the racial identity of character and the meaning of a symbolic object. These indeterminate elements stimulate readers to fill the gaps left by the author, inviting readers'participation. Chapter Three mainly deals with parody. Through parody of Haven and Gardern of Eden, Jesus Christ and white racism, Morrison depicts the absurdity of the racial and patriarchal systems in the community. With the three subversive techniques, Morrison explores some problems related to history, race and gender, granting the novel unique artistic characteristics and profound themes. |
