Study Of Alienation Theme In The Works Of Gogol

Nikolay Vasilievich Gogol (1809-1852) occupies a significant position in Russian literary society, with his works as continuously studied object for the past two centuries and his world outlook and philosophy explored with great interest. Through interpretation of the alienation theme in Gogol's work, this paper will make a research into Gogol's view on dark side of human nature and his hope for improvement.The foreword is a brief introduction of current research status on Gogol, and the motivation to choose this topic. The first chapter introduces the origin and content of alienation theory and the necessity to interpret Gogol with such theory, as well as how the alienation theme in his works has developed and been involved with his personal experience. The following two chapters explore in detail several forms of alienation according to Gogol's understanding: alienation of relationship, self-alienation; alienation by power and alienation by money. The last chapter analyzes the approach to alienation by Gogol in his works and his preliminary study into anti-alienation. Finally there comes the conclusion of the whole thesis.