The Loss Of Home:Interpretation Of More Die Of Hearbreak From The Perspective Of Space

The living state of intellectuals in the context of materialism, consumerism and hedonism is always a heated topic in Saul Bellow’s works. More Die of Heartbreak as the representative of his later works continues the theme. From the perspective of spatial criticism, this thesis attempts to interpret the impact of the ideologies and values contained in the spaces on intellectuals from the three levels:global space, urban space and family space.This thesis initially explores the worldwide dissemination of consumerism and hedonism throughout the analysis of the protagonist, Benn’s wandering around the global space and the desire spectacles in the east and the west and then tries to exposit the absence of love. Besides, the analysis of Benn’s home in his childhood memory and the architectures in the urban space demonstrate the loss of traditional ethics caused by contemporary urban culture. Finally, the power distribution and the status of the hero in the family show his marginalised position and the loss of the sense of belonging.Through the analysis above, this thesis points out the double loss, both physically and spiritually, of the intellectuals deeply edified by traditional culture in front of the materialism, consumerism and hedonism worldwide and the alienated condition of city and the fragmentation of family relationship. At the same time, the present author hopes that this thesis could provide a new perspective for interpreting other works with spatial criticism.