On Binary Oppositions In Look Homeward,angel

Thomas Wolfe is one of the greatest American writers of the twentieth century. During his less than two decades writing career, Wolfe creates four novels, thirty-two short stories and many dramatic works. Look Homeward, Angel is his first and influential novel.Wolfe’s works usually abound in the thought of binary opposition. The phenomenon of binary opposition is widespread in literature, which has become an important research method of literary criticism. Binary opposition refers that there exist two opposite elements in a complete structure or system, in which they are opposite, complementary, and they even can transform one another. This thesis, based on the theories done by previous scholars, intends to use binary opposition to analyze Look Homeward, Angel and decode the binary oppositions in characterization, imagery and theme of the novel.In characterization, this thesis focuses on the binary oppositions within and between characters in the novel. Firstly, by analyzing the self-contradictory parents and double-faced children, this thesis points out that the oppositions exposed in their personality are the source of these contradictions. Then, the thesis further analyzes the conflicts between parents and the oppositions between parents and children. Through the analysis on the basis of the theory of binary opposition, it can be concluded that the differences of their personality and the lack of love are the reasons why these conflicts occur in this family. In imagery, this thesis analyzes images of the stone and the leaf, the angel and the angel statue and the train in detail to respectively expose the oppositional conflicts of transience versus eternity, fantasy versus reality and movement versus stillness, and further exposes Wolfe’s confused and perplexed attitudes towards life. In the aspect of thematic construct, this thesis expounds the two groups of binary oppositions in theme. The first dichotomy shows the conflicts between life and death. To provide evidences for the argument, this thesis makes a detailed and thorough-going analysis of the struggle between the desire for survival and the resistance of death, and points out that the family restores its vitality again after the power of survival conquers the shadow of death. The second dichotomy demonstrates the sharp contrast between seeking and losing. To illustrate this point,this thesis thoroughly analyzes the contradictions between the seeking for spiritual home and the losing of natural home. It points out that by realizing their spiritual home they can find peace about losing of the natural home. The above two groups of binary oppositions strongly indicate that there exist many contradictions and confusions in characters’ growth and family life and embody Wolfe’ spirit of seeking for ideal and value of life in the conflicting and contradictory reality.This thesis is divided into six chapters. The first chapter of this thesis includes anintroduction to Thomas Wolfe, his novel Look Homeward, Angel, literature review of the novel,the purpose and significance of this study and framework of this thesis. Chapter two is the theoretical framework which mainly deals with the definition of binary opposition, origin and development of binary opposition, and the application of it to literary criticism. Chapter three focuses on the binary oppositions within and between characters in this novel to expose how these contrasting elements affect their relationship and life. Chapter four shows the deep meaning of this novel by discussing the binary oppositions in imagery, of which the stone and the leaf, the angel and the angel statue and the train are analyzed in detail. Chapter five focuses on the binary oppositions in theme. Seeking and losing, and life and death are interpreted in this chapter. Chapter six summarizes the research results of this thesis, and further reiterates the important value of the theory of binary opposition in the field of literary criticism. Through the foregoing analyses, this thesis aims to arouse readers to explore and reflect on the confusions and contradictions in people’s growth. It helps people understand the root of this problem and provides a way for them to get rid of the confusions and realize their intrinsic value.