Font Size: a A A

A Study On Theodore's Growth In Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch From The Perspective Of Spatial Narrative

Posted on:2020-04-27Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:J YuFull Text:PDF
GTID:2415330620451235Subject:English Language and Literature
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
Donna Tartt(1963-)is one of the famous contemporary American women writers.So far,she has published three novels of initiation,which makes her popular with young readers.In 2014,Tartt won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her latest novel,The Goldfinch.In this semi-autobiographical novel,the life track of its protagonist,Theodore Decker,spans across the United States,and even extends to the European continent,which presents distinctive spatial characteristics.Therefore,this thesis starts from the perspective of spatial narrative,and tries to make a new interpretation of The Goldfinch by applying Gabriel Zoran and Henry Lefebvre's space theories.The thesis aims to discuss the different levels of space in narration and their influences on Theodore's growth process from the following four aspects: the topographical space,the psychological space,the social space and the art space.By reviewing all the significant life turning points of Theodore,the topographical space in the novel represents the cultural difference and social difference between the three diverse types of urban cities and the rural landscapes that witness the growth of Theodore,and reveals the reality that behind such a highly developed modern civilization,a majority of American youths are still under the cruel living conditions.With respect to the narrative form,the contrast and juxtaposition of topographical space promotes the development of the story and constructs the basic narrative framework.Through an analysis of Theodore's multiple dreams and constant flow of consciousness in narration,the section of the psychological space shows his isolated and distorted internal world after experiencing the terrorist attack and a series of family misfortunes,which also profoundly exposes the chaotic and absurd real world as well as the selfish and greedy human nature.The social space part centers on Lefebvre's space theory and analyzes the money-oriented and power-oriented social relationship and estranged interpersonal relationship set up within the two major living space of American adolescents—families and schools,under the interaction of gender discrimination,class differentiation and modern materialism.The art space of the novel clarifies how Theodore establishes his new social identity and recovers from the traumas in love and art.By reinforcing the overlapping and complementary relationship between the eternal art world and the transient real world,the art practice of Theodore has also pointed out a way for modern people to free from spiritual crisis.Based on the spatial narrative theories,this thesis deeply explores the painful transformation of Theodore from multiple narrative space.Moreover,it reflects the living conditions and spiritual traumas of American teenagers represented by Theodore,as well as their positively seek for self-redemption from art and integration into the society.
Keywords/Search Tags:spatial narrative, The Goldfinch, the topographical space, the psychological space, the social space, the art space
PDF Full Text Request
Related items