Law And Literature

Today the academic research is becoming more and more diversified and the boundary between different subjects is getting obscure. The “law and literature” has unique and creative meaning and influence on broadening the research scope of subject of law and literature. Literature can provide vivid and abundant text materials for the research of law science and also convenient channel for the spread of law, whereas the study of law from the angle of law science also provides unique way for the study of literature. The interaction between law and literature shows that: the research method of “law and literature” is not only feasible but also pragmatic. This paper explores the relationship between the law and literature using Dickens’ s novelThis paper without inclusion of preface and summery is divided into four chapters. As for the preface, it mainly introduces the motive, purpose of selecting this topic and literature review of Bleak House. Researches on Bleak House at home and abroad includes two kinds: literature study and legal study. The study of Bleak House from the angle of literature starts earlier and gets more results while the study from the angle of law is late and fruitless. By comparison, the study from the special angle of “law and literature” is less which may results in special effect.The first chapter introduces the development of “law and literature”. It has achieved a lot in both china and abroad since its rise and evolves into for branches: “the law in literature”, “law about literature”, “law as literature” and “law through literature”. as example which is characterized by its feature of judicial literature. The relationship between law and literature is reflected through the four branches of the campaign “law and literature”. Then, some theories concerning two branches(namely “the law in literature” and “the law through literature”) is selected and used to make concrete analysis of the legal plot, legal element of the novel Bleak House and its effect on the judicial reform.The second chapter introduces Dickens’ s life, background and the detailed plot of Bleak House, which defines the historic background for the following analysis. Dickens’ s personal experience and the times when he lives is closely connected with his works. Abundant personal experiences and the reform of 19 th century provide large of materials for the literature creation which are also reflected in Dickens’ s works.In the following third chapter, the paper focuses on the analysis of legal system and legal concept reflected in Bleak House from the angle of “law in literature”. Bleak House gives an concrete descriptions of the legal plots such as Court of Chancery, legal professional, civil procedure and etc. The legal picture of corrupt Court of Chancery, contemptible lawyer and miscellaneous civil procedures reflects problems existing in the legal system of England in 19 th century. Dickens criticizes the legal system especially the equity legal system in a critical so as to arouse citizens’ concern about the legal system. Dickens hopes to promote the progress of legal reform and achieves his legal dream.In fact, the publishment of Bleak House promotes the judicial reform of England in 19 th century and Dickens also realizes his legal dream. The fourth chapter makes an careful analysis of the influence of Bleak House on judicial reform from the angle of “law through literature”. Dickens’ s work is characterized by mirroring the social problems and arousing debate among public and under the condition of that time his works has great influence on the social reform. Bleak House reveals the problems existing in the Court of Chancery which arouses extensive attention and debate about judicial reform, which then is converted to impetus promoting the judicial reform under the circumstance that the voting reform of parliament has been carried out. This also proves that using “law and literature” as research method is feasible.The final part epilogue, gives summery about the foresaid part,illustrates the relationship between law and literature again and further points out that the research of literature from the angle of law and the research of law from the angle of literature is both feasible and pragmatic.