A Study Of The Characters In Willa Cather's O Pioneers? From Perspective Of Eco-criticism

Eco-criticism is happening in the face of the deterioration of global ecological environment.It views that humankind should show the respect for nature,and should get along well with nature.When humankind seek their own survival and development resources from nature,they should follow the laws of nature and the rules of ecology as well.Cheryll Glotfelty,the American scholar gives the definition of eco-criticism: “the study of relationship between literature and the physical environment.” She observes that,the scope of the eco-criticism is more expansive,including the whole ecosystem.Through continuous exploration,human beings become fully understand of their needs,and find a suitable model for their own survival and development.With the mutual adaptation and integration into the surrounding environment,humanity realize their obligation for nature,others and the society.Studying on this text can have profound comprehension of Willa Cather's ecological consciousness.This thesis interprets the characters' ecological consciousness in O Pioneers! from the eco-criticism perspective.This thesis is divided into three parts: the introduction,the main body and the conclusion.Introduction gives a concise description of Willa Cather's works and research;ecological consciousness reflected in the works of Willa Cather and the significance of the thesis.Readers can have a deep comprehension of the theme of Cather's novel and the features of characters.Furthermore,people can get enlightenment: humanity can coexist with nature.In the 21 st century,in the era of the harmonious coexistence of nature and mankind,in the face of the increasingly severe ecological crisis,humankind have to reflect on the status of mankind in nature so as to find the way that human beings can get along well with nature.The first chapter analyses the characters' natural ecological consciousness in O Pioneers! Alexandra makes the Nebraska become fertile;and the land helps her to realize self-realization.In this land,Alexandra Bergson gets self-realization rather than her father,which has great relationship with her understanding and love for this land.For John Bergson,this piece of land is really a mystery,like a wild horse.Human beings cannot control it.On the contrary,Alexandra believes the land has great potential value.She not only has faith in the land,but also loves and respects the land.She can get comfort and encouragement from the land.One of the characters in the novel,Ivar,his behavior is so unique and his thought is so strange that the unexceptional person cannot understand.In reality,Ivar shows a kind of ecological consciousness ahead of his time.He loves nature and follows the laws of nature with his behaviors.The second chapter decodes the characters' social ecological awareness in O Pioneers! Willa Cather portrays Alexandra as a perfect woman.Cather compliments her love and reverence for land and nature,and also praises her optimism,self-confidence as well as correct attitude towards her life.After Emil died for love,she endures the strong pain,and forgives Frank with great courage and charitable heart.For Lou and Oscar,Alexandra also respects their status in the family;meanwhile does her best to help her younger brothers to ameliorate their lives.In the process of figuring out family conflict,Alexandra skillfully uses her own advantages to maintain a harmonious family.When all the person require sending Ivar to the asylum,Alexandra resolutely takes Ivar and regards him as a spirit guide.Emotional entanglements between Marie,her lover Emil and her husband Frank are the most shocking plot in this novel.Frank's love a kind of oppressive possession.He wants to control everything of Marie,including her thoughts.Emil's love is also filled with control and conquest.All of these lead to their tragic fate and death.The third chapter analyses the characters' spiritual ecological awareness in O pioneers! In the self-social self-ecological self process,human beings gradually realize that they are inseparable part of nature.The heroine,Alexandra not only gets the successful completion of her pioneer career,but also completes the self-transcendence in the enduring effort process.She achieves the realm of ecological self.Ivar lives in a solitude.He protects and loves all livings in nature,and gives affection for all things.On the other hand,the novel describes some male characters influenced by anthropocentrism.They consider humankind can control even dominate the nature.However,they are ultimately punished by the nature.Cather tries to eliminate human-centered thoughts by this hint and to awaken people's ecological awareness.The conclusion reveals the purpose of this research by analyzing Alexandra's ecological awareness.Alexandra is a perfect female image.In the process of getting along with nature,she complies with the laws of nature,and tries her best to protect and maintain the harmony and stability of the entire ecosystem.She integrates herself into the nature and realizes self-realization.In the process of getting along with society,she also expresses her ecological awareness.As a member of family,she maintains the harmony of the family;as a member of society,she gets along well with others and is willing to helping her neighbors.Then the direct purpose of this research is to reveal the ecological awareness,which exists in the novel.The indirect purpose is to help people to form ecological awareness.The final purpose is to promote the construction of the ecological civilization.