Analysis Of The "Connection" Theme In On Beauty

Zadie Smith is one of the most prominent women writers in contemporary British literary circle.From the punishment of her first work White Teeth in 2000,Smith's works have got many comments from readers.She has got much glory and several awards for her novels.Her works are famous for the theme of post-colonialism,the living dilemma in multi-cultural society and so on,conveying a lot of abundant meanings.Smith's third novel On Beauty was published in 2005.With this novel,Smith has received much attention and praise.The title of the novel is from Elaine Scarry's book On Beauty and Being Just.And the novel reflects the living condition of people against multicultural background.On Beauty imitates the structure of E.M.Forster's Howards End,and it copies the theme of "only connection" of the novel as well.On Beauty reflects the questions in the modern society through the contradictions of two families which are from different cultural backgrounds.Smith shows her deep exploration of human existence in the contemporary world.This thesis employs E.M.Forster's concept of "Connection" and analyzes the deep theme of On Beauty from the aspects of individual "Connection",interpersonal "Connection" and "Connection" with society.It points out that "only connection" can make individuals perfect,build friendly interpersonal friendship and establish harmonious social order.Therefore,humankind can get rid of the living dilemma.Apart from the introduction and the conclusion,this thesis consists of four chapters.In the introduction,there is the presentation of life and works of Zadie Smith and the content of On Beauty.There is also a literature review of On Beauty both at home and abroad.The introduction also shows the innovation of the thesis and explains the central argument and the structure of the thesis.Chapter One is the theoretical basis of the theory,which systematically introduces the proposition,development and main contents of "Connection" theory.The concept of "Connection" is firstly put forward by E.M.Forster in his novel Howards End in 1910.The characters in Forster's novels are often in dilemma,and Forster makes them get rid of the dilemma by the means of "Connection".Smith approves and accepts Forster's "Connection" theory and shows her admiration of "Connection" in On Beauty.The second chapter discusses individual "Connection" in On Beauty.Individual "Connection" can be found in the behavior of every character.Everyone is a two-faced person.Individual "Connection" is exhibited by the self-communication "prose" and "passion".This chapter analyzes the features of the characters and explains the reasons of their "prose" and "passion".It points out that only "Connection" can make individuals achieve inward health and get rid of dilemma.The third chapter talks about interpersonal "Connection".This kind of "Connection" is demonstrated in marriages and friendship.People from different countries and different cultures have different views toward "beauty".They often have setbacks in their marriage life and friendship.Only "Connection" can make them have friendly relationship with people around them and get rid of living dilemma.The fourth chapter mainly analyzes characters' "Connection" with society.This "society" refers to the status which the characters are in.It contains history stages and the condition of culture exchanges.We all live in the social environment.Only perfect "Connection" with society can make us live in a tranquil and harmonious world.The conclusion is a summary of the study.It sums up E.M.Forster's "Connection" theory and points out this concept permeates through every character and every description in the novel.Zadie Smith presents E.M.Forster's "Connection" theory in On Beauty.She intends to point out that in the modern society,people in the multi-cultural environment should change themselves.Thus they can realize individual "Connection","Connection" with others and "Connection" with the society.Therefore,they can liberate themselves from contradictions,discover their own beauty and the beauty of others and live in an ideal world.