An Analysis Of Mavis Gallant's Works From The Perspective Of Existentialism

Mavis Gallant,is a famous short story writer in Canada,whose most literary works mostly focus on the survival plight of diaspora influenced by her early exile experience.Most of the characters in her works are in crisis of identity and are deeply persecuted by war.This paper uses the method of text analysis to interpret the works of Gallant from the perspective of existentialism.This thesis applies Sartre's three principles of Existentialism: existence precedes essence,the world is absurd and life is anguished,and free choice to interpret the existentialism thought in Mavis gallant's works,explore the philosophical charm hidden in her works,and help people find the meaning of life in the absurd world.This thesis is composed of five parts.The introduction gives a brief presentation to Gallant and her works,summarizes the current research status of Gallant and her works at home and abroad,introduces the theory of Existentialism,establishes the significance of the research,and also includes the basic ideas of the full text.Chapter one mainly analyzes the existence of diasporic wandering in Europe in Gallant's works,including “BAUM,GABRIEL,1935-()”,“The Other Paris”,“The Ice Wagon Going Down the Street” and “Overhead in a Balloon”.The basic concept of existentialism—existence precedes essence,emphasizes the primacy of human existence and human autonomy to determine his essence.Most of the characters in Gallant's stories belong to the group of exiled refugees and transnational immigrants which choose to drift in Europe.Their existence states are characterized by nothingness and meaninglessness,and most of them have identity crisis.Therefore,this chapter analyzes and elaborates the existential characteristics of the characters from two aspects of individual identity and national identity.Chapter two,based on the corresponding historical background,conducts a specific analysis of the survival dilemma encountered by characters in Gallant's works including “The Latehomecomer”,“Ernst in Civilian Clothes”,“August” and“Irina” from the perspective of gender difference.Existentialism puts forward the principle that “the world is absurd and life is anguished” which emphasizing that the pain of human existence mostly comes from the external environment and interpersonal relationship.Male characters in Gallant's works are persecuted by war,and female characters in Gallant's works mostly suffer the living predicament in marriage and family.Chapter three interprets the corresponding free choices made by the characters in Gallant's works in the face of different existential difficulties,and the consequences behind the choices,which involves Gallant's works---“Linnet Muir Story Cycle” and “The Chosen Husband”.Sartre's existentialism emphasizes the absolute freedom of people,that is,the freedom of people's subjective consciousness is absolute.Free choice inevitably entails different anxieties and pains of existence caused by conflicts of individual and communal interests.However,individual freedom of people is achieved through the action and choice when facing different situation and anxiety.From the perspective of existentialism,this thesis interprets the short stories of Gallant,finds out the distinct existential thoughts and enriches the practical significance of existentialism.Gallant's works have rich philosophical connotation.This thesis aims to provide readers with a new perspective to appreciate the works of Gallant,and inspire more ideas and studies on Gallant's works.