| William Dean Howells is one of the most famous leading figures of American realism.His masterpiece The Rise of Silas Lapham,published in 1884,depicts the nouveau riche class in American literature for the first time.Unlike American romanticism,which is widely considered as an extension of British literature and a subculture of the Europe,American realism aims at representing the real condition and emotion of the American society and American people to demonstrate its uniqueness of being American.In such a sense,American realism contributes to the resistance to the dominant European culture,British culture in particular and the establishment of American cultural identity.Set in such historical and cultural context,the author of this thesis,in the light of New Historicism argues that The Rise of Silas Lapham is a demonstration of Howells’ literary strategy of representing the American uniqueness.Firstly,the story of the rags-to-riches represents the American businessmen in the fast-developing society in America after the Civil War.Secondly,the rise of American capitalism is a typical reflection of American society at that time,in which the pursuit of wealth is an irresistible trend.Thirdly,American Dream that serves as spiritual guidance for the rise of Silas Lapham is also an embodiment of the“Americanness.” Since the publication of this novel,pieces of researches have been variously conducted by scholars abroad and home.However,few of them analyze it from perspective of nationalism in the light of New Historicism.So,it is hoped that a study of The Rise of Silas Lapham from perspective of the establishment of American cultural identity could broaden the view of the interpretation of this great realist work. |
