The Dream Theme Of Nathanael West's Novels

Nathanael West (1903-1940) is one of the greatest American novelists in 1930s. Known as the last genius of The Lost Generation, actually, he is not a prolific writer. His reputation in the literary world is primarily gained through four novels, which are The Dream Life of Balso Snell(1931), Miss Lonely-Hearts(1933), A Cool Million(1934) and The Day of the Locust(1939). Based on a systematic and interpretative analysis, this thesis is to explore the "Dream Theme" in West's works, including a ridiculous poet's dream, a self-deceptive salvation-dream, and a dead-end America-dream. Focused on these three topics, the article respectively explores the complex and symbolical significance in terms of art, religion and politics, then summarizes the absurdity of the "Dream Theme" and explores the reason why West pays attention to it, that is the special background of the times and philosophy theories, including the impact of his Jewish American status.The preface introduces the life and works of West. Undertaking a systematic research on the current materials at home and abroad, this thesis has provided a new perspective for the studies of this field.Chapter I is divided into three sections. Tt is a general study of "Dream Theme" in West's works. Based on the most important four novels of West, this part reveals the ridiculousness in the poet's dream, the self-deception in the salvation dream and the dead-end in the American dream, which makes it clear that West's works are sharp and thorough analysis of the spiritual world of American people in 1930s.Chapter II also consists of three sections. This part explores the symbolical significance of "Dream Theme". Resting on West's three major works, this part analyses the complex and symbolical meaning in artistic, religious and political level, and has summarized a series of symbolic images for constituting integral and meaningful systems, which reflect the entirely changing life of American people in 1930s.Chapter III is divided into three sections. This part abstracts West's artistic style and creative skills, focusing on analysing the tragic irony, carnival scene and non-rational language, in order to sum up the absurdity of the "Dream Theme". It points out that West had already combined European Modernism artistic skills with American social life, absorbing fantasy, fable and the details of real life as early as that time, thereby determining his own unique writing style.Chapter IV is divided into three sections. This part discusses the reason why the author created the "Dream Theme". The outbreak of the WW I and the economic crisis have shaken the foundation of capitalist society. Meanwhile the rapid development of science and technology has led to the decline in religious belief, and brought about a severe spiritual crisis in western society. As a Jewish American, West had a strong sense of social responsibility which helped him capture the disappointment with the society and the confusion about life. The complex social mood reflected in his works have thus formed the unique "dream theme" through his works.In the last part, the paper summarizes the meaningfulness and value of West's works and his writing style. It also points out the great contribution that West has made to American literature and profound influence con the later American writers.