| Stein,with her multiple identities as writer,poet,play-writer,art collector and patron,ranks among the most legendary writers in the literary history of America and the world at large.She went to Paris in 1902 and remained there for the rest of her life.During her living in Paris,she frequented those avant-garde art galleries and purchased the works by Cézanne,Renoir,Gauguin,Matisse and Picasso.Besides,thanks to the art salon at her apartment 27 rue de Fleurus,she befriended such artists as Picasso,Braque,Matisse and so on.These all contribute to the indelible Post/Impressionist and superCézannian painting(Cubist)effects in Stein’s literary creation.This thesis aims at exploring the Post/Impressionist features in Stein’s works.The specific focus of the study is Stein’s masterpiece,Three Lives.At the guidance of relevant Post/Impressionist painterly principles and literary impressionist assumptions,the present author attempts to explore the application of Impressionist and PostImpressionist techniques therein embodied in terms of creative ideas,linguistic characteristics and story-telling,as well as artistic effects and aesthetic connotations thus produced.Firstly,Cézanne’s initiatory influence on Stein is of great significance.Among the most representative artistic features in Stein’s literary creations,“the continuous present,” for instance,is derived from the painters’ pursuit of instant impression.Moreover,in terms of linguistic features,Stein experiments with “repetition”after Post-Impressionist artists and employs a good number of words of light and colors,which not only enriches the characterization of the protagonists,but endows t h e language with rhythmical beauty.As for story-telling,Stein highlights the pictorial strategy of “de-plotting” so that she is able to depict the characters in an all-around way.By this,the personalities of various characters become more impressive by resonating with readers,which in turn facilitates the enhancement of the theme.Based upon the analysis above,this thesis makes the following discoveries: first of all,Stein,inspired by Cézanne and his art,ensures her niche in the literary pantheon with her violation of almost all traditional conventions and the creation of “the continuous present.” Secondly,Stein’s language is influenced by painting in more than one way,such as the technique of “repetition” and the selection of light and color words.Thirdly,as for story-telling,the “de-plotting” style echoes the impressionistic pursuit of art.Moreover,focalization and vague description in Stein’s works boast the impressionistic vision as well.Undoubtedly,the present study provides readers with a new perspective to interpret Gertrude Stein’s works and thereby to highlight the post/impressionist aesthetic in depth. |
