| According to the theory of Harold Bloom,every poet shall be influenced by the strong poet,the precursor.The precursor is in the dual role,for he can provide the latecomer with instruction,at the same time,bring “the anxiety of influence” on him.The relationship of father and son is quite similar to that between the precursor and the latecomer.Based on historical factor and traditional ideology,father,the precursor,shall exert intense influence on son,the latecomer.This thesis shall adopt the theory of “the anxiety of influence” to analyze the father-son relationship in four major works of William Faulkner created from 1920 s to 1940 s.The thesis consists of five parts.The Introduction part briefly presents William Faulkner's life experience and introduces the involved works,literature review on father-son relationship in these four works as well as thesis structure and research significance.Chapter I analyzes the influence of the precursor,father on the latecomer,son.Son is influenced by father in the aspects of ideology,racism and religious thought as well as family traditions.Chapter II elaborates the anxiety of influence caused by father on son,which reflects son's attitude to women and racism.Besides,the chapter also reveals son's striving process in pursuing self that accompanies anxiety caused by father.Chapter III elaborates son's efforts in becoming the “new precursor”.The son attempts to revive the vitality of humanity and hopes to establish a harmonious father-son relationship,moreover,he also holds the idea that human beings should have a spiritual fathernature who enables the disorder world to regain peace.As a conclusion,in analyzing father-son relationship by adopting the theory of“anxiety of influence”,on the one hand,son is deeply influenced by father-the precursor.On the other hand,in the process of confronting with such “anxiety of influence”,son-the latecomer makes some efforts so as to enable himself to become the new precursor. |
PDF Full Text Request