An Analysis Of Runaway From The Perspective Of Deleuze's Post-Structuralism

Alice Munro is a short story writer who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2013.She is called the “master of the contemporary short story”.This thesis analyzes her masterpiece Runaway using Deleuze's post-structuralist theory.The thesis first analyzes the complexity and uncertainty in Runaway through concept of rhizome in Deleuze's post-structuralist theory.In particular,it discusses the following three things: the intricate reasons why Carla runs away three times,Sylvia's subtle love for Carla,and the mysterious ending of Flora.The concept of rhizome provides us with a good toolbox to analyze this short story.The author finds out that it is impossible to give an clear explanation of the intricate reasons,Sylvia's subtle love and Flora's ending.Many different factors can effect them and sometimes they are inexplicable.What we can do is just accept it rather than try to explain it.The thesis also uses Deleuze's concepts of territory and the view of desire to analyze the meaning behind Carla's running away.Her running away is a dynamic movement,which is called territorialization and deterritorialization by Deleuze.The author thinks that Carla's running away is by no means what some critics would think--a failure.Rather,it manifests Carla's strong desire for a better life.Carla makes her own decisions for herself and she is not manipulated by any ideology or ideas.The author believes that to make your own decisions for your life is the self-respecting thing one should do.