Music Images In The Awakening And "Wiser Than A God" From The Perspective Of Conceptual Integration Theory

It has been noticed that music has an influence on the heroine Edna’s thoughts and action in The Awakening(1850-1904)by American classic female writer Kate Chopin.However,why Chopin combines her writing with music is worth exploring.This thesis tries to analyze the music images with Conceptual Integration Theory for different characters in two of her works,“Wiser Than a God”(1889),her first short story in Philadelphia Musical Journal and her masterpiece The Awakening(1899).According to the research,Chopin actually proposes that different music has different effects on people,and people should listen to the music that has positive power.Conceptual Integration Theory by Fauconnier and Turner can also interpret cognitive language in literary texts,for it reveals the pragmatic psychological operation mechanism,and embodies the dynamic construction process of semantics.Therefore,by means of the theory,this thesis focuses on the typical images related to music for five women Paula,Mrs.Stoltz in “Wiser Than a God,” Reisz,Adèle and Edna in The Awakening.It adopts the four kinds of integrated networks,Simplex Network,Mirror Network,Single-scope Network and Double-scope Network.In “Wiser Than a God”,music has a supreme status in Paula’s life with the analysis of a singlescope network.It is also the source of strength that makes her ultimately successful.For Mrs.Stoltz,both mirror network and double-scope network present the meaning construction process of “Berceuse” as medicine.In The Awakening,firstly simple network displays that music is the thing Reisz depends on to live.It endows her with independence and great strength.Secondly,single-scope network indicates the influence of waltz music that makes Adèle’s family more harmonious and attractive.Thirdly,double-scope network shows that the music about suicide for love not only has an effect on Edna,but also omens her tragic ending.In conclusion,the harmonious and positive music not only contributes to physical and mental health,but also helps to maintain the harmony of families and the society in Chopin’s two works.On the contrary,some other music may have the opposite effect.This idea is consistent with Confucius’ thought on music,which strengthens our self-confidence in Chinese culture.