A Study Of The Theme Of Alienation In McEwan's Solar

Ian McEwan is one of the most distinguished writers in contemporary British literature.His works are known and highly valued for exposing social realities and ethical dilemma of men.Published in 2010,Solar set in the global warming attracts the attention of readers around the world.McEwan in Solar combines the global concern of climate change with moral issues,revealing both ecological and humanistic crisis in today's society.Previous studies on Solar mostly apply the perspectives and theories of ecologism and ethics.By contrast,studies on the theme of alienation in this novel appear insufficient.This thesis deals with the theme of alienation in Solar based on Fromm and Marcuse's alienation theories.It discusses and analyses the topic from three aspects: alienation between man and himself,alienation between man and man and alienation between man and nature.This thesis consists of three parts.Chapter One gives an introduction to Ian McEwan and his works,sorts out literature review of Solar,generalizes the alienation theory and the argument,research methods and significance of the study.The main body of the thesis is made up of four chapters including Chapter Two,Chapter Three,Chapter Four and Chapter Five.Chapter Two analyzes man's self-alienation which manifests in the emotional numbness and loss of faith.Chapter Three elaborates alienation in personal relationships from two aspects: disharmonious family relationship and distorted working relationship.Chapter Four expounds alienation between man and nature including human's over-reliance on science and technology and destruction of the environment.Chapter Five summarizes that excessive greed of modern man,dominance of patriarchalism and prevalence of anthropocentrism are the main causes of alienation in Solar.Chapter Six is the conclusion.This thesis draws the conclusion that the theme of alienation runs through the whole novel.Nowadays,the increasing greed has made man a materialized existence that loses emotion and faith.The alienated personal relationships and relationship between man and nature reveal the entrenched patriarchy and anthropocentrism.This thesis also shows its concern for men's current living conditions and calls for deep reflection of men's behaviors.