Anthropological Analysis In Novel

Anthropology emphasizes the "objectivity" in writing, and the traditional anthropological writing was based on "field research". In the process of field study, anthropologists went "there" to observe the "significant other" with "cold eye". In traditional sense, there exists a strict’boundary between literature and the anthropological text written in field research. Anthropological writing put emphasis on the absolute authority of objectivity, the "fact" in "field research", and denied the fictional element in literary text as an organic part of research."Field research" promoted the development of anthropology. The study in field became the center of anthropology. However, a meeting named "The Making of Ethnographic Texts" was held in School of American Research by ten scholars in1984, triggering decentralizing progress in the objectivity-centered anthropology.This thesis tries to analyze the Mexican American female characters in The House on Mango Street and Caramelo from an anthropological view. Through close reading, this thesis aims at revealing the importance of the novel in anthropological study. Both of the novels adopt polyphonic narration hoping to faithfully write down the complicated facts in reality, to avoid monologue imposed by the author, and to show the multi-facet of the society through the depiction of different social experiences. The author Cisneros is a reflective Mexican American female. In real life, she experiences the double ethnic identity on one hand, and at the same time, on the other hand experiences the invisible structural violence imposed on gender identity. With similar experience, she becomes the close "comadre" of informants in the field, which facilitates the deeper study of social facts. The protagonists, representing Cisneros in the literary "field", directly speaks out true feelings of scholars in anthropological research. After "writing culture" revolution in anthropology, it is recognized that the absolute objectivity is impossible, and subjective thoughts of anthropologist are an organic part of field research. Based on all above, this thesis makes the conclusion that novels can also serve as anthropological materials, and as note of social facts.The thesis is divided into five chapters:The first chapter is the general introduction of this thesis, including purpose, significance, study method as well as general structure.The second chapter briefly introduces the literature turn in anthropology after "writing culture" as well as previous studies in China and abroad, and literature review of The House on Mango Street and Caramelo.The third chapter is focused on the gender prejudice, taking The House on Mango Street and Caramelo as example. Through the diverse social facts written down, the two novels prove the fact that Chicana females suffer from the structural violence widely existing in society. With similar life experience, the author fully empathizes with informants in the field and reflects gender problem in the society. Based on all above, this chapter tries to prove that the life experience and personal feelings are an important component of anthropological writing. The fourth chapter is focused on the double ethnic identity of Mexican Americans, taking The House on Mango Street and Caramelo as example. Through diverse facts noted, the two novels prove that the close connection to Mexican cultural heritage of Chicanos and the "between" immigrant life constitute the unique ethnic identity. Cisneros, as an author, has the similar experience. Protagonists Esperanza and Lala as spokeswomen of Cisneros in the novel express directly reflection on the unique double identity of Mexican Americans. Her subjective feelings contribute to anthropological writing.The fifth chapter is the conclusion of the whole thesis. Through analysis of The House on Mango Street and Caramelo, two main points can be concluded. Firstly, novel can be an excellent anthropological work reflecting the reality. The subjective reflection of author is an organic part of field work contributing to anthropological writing. Secondly, anthropological analysis can deepen the understanding of the novel.