Research On Subjectivity Construction In A Mercy From Narrative Perspective

This thesis mainly explores and analyzes the individual subjectivity construction of the characters in Morrison?s A Mercy from the perspective of Genette?s narrative focalization. Based on the close reading of the text, the thesis adopts the qualitative method of description and analysis to demonstrate the process of each character?s subjectivity construction, and then finds out the author?s position and attitude towards enslavement.Under the guidance of focalization theory, the various processes of individual subjectivity construction are manifested. The analysis of the characters? individual subjectivity is explored around the aspects of the deprivation, the quest and the establishment of subjectivity. In the deprivation of subjectivity, the analysis of subjectivity is explored around the female and male characters. Due to various reasons, the characters either suffer the physical or spiritual enslavement in different degrees, which makes them can not control their own life. In the quest of subjectivity, after experiencing the loss of subjectivity, the characters begin to re-examine themselves, forming a new cognition of themselves and making unremitting efforts and explorations in subjectivity construction. The quest of subjectivity is analyzed from journey influence and life exploration two aspects. Applying the focalization theory of internal focalization, external focalization and omniscient zero focalization, one can discover the individual?s new realization and changes on self construction, finding out the endeavor the characters made in their realization of subjectivity quest. In the establishment of subjectivity, the individual subjectivity can be analyzed from the aspects of successful construction process, unsuccessful construction process, and the ideal model construction. Confronting a series of accident and misfortune, different characters choose different self-construction processes, and finally established their own subjectivity position, which reveals Morrison?s attitude on subjectivity accordingly. Morrison tries to declare that there is no direct relation between the enslavement and race, color, and class etc.. On the contrary, the one who degrades himself and abandons himself is the real slave. Through this novel, Morrison shows her acknowledgment and approval on the positive attitude of self-construction, expressing her objection and critique on the passive attitude of subjectivity construction.Through a thorough study on subjectivity construction, this thesis expects to further enrich and deepen the understanding of the novel from a new perspective. It also expects readers could enrich their understanding of the subjectivity, which is of great practical significance to their self development.