A Vision Of Peace In The Crises

Don De Lillo(1936-)is a well-known contemporary American novelist.He has published seventeen novels,five plays,several short stories and essays,of which Underworld(1997)successfully portrays the phenomena in the late twentieth century in America.De Lillo has certain accomplishments on philosophy and history.Jazz,modern paintings as well as European films also attract his interest.Thus,these inspire him in his process of writing.Because of his outstanding contribution to the American literature,he wins Guggenheim Fellowship in 1979,the Award in Literature from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters in 1984,and the Jerusalem Prize in 1999 as the first American who wins it.Glen A.Love’ s ecocriticism,as one of the representatives of environmental justice ecocriticism,is different from the ecocriticism which focused on anti-anthropocentrism in the early year.Environmental justice criticism focuses on the environment which includes natural and human-built dimensions.At the same time,Love emphasizes the significance of the science.This thesis analyzes Underworld on the basis of Glen A.Love’s environmental justice ecocriticism.Firstly,humans should treat nature with respect and pay attention to the environment justice protection.In addition,the advanced development of technology and industrialization provides convenient life to human while the balance between humans and environment is broken.Therefore,the proper attitude to technology is helpful to protect the balance.On top of that,humans should take action actively and devote themselves to the reality with the concern about environment.Humans are supposed to face with the reality with practical actions so that they can pay more attention to ecology.De Lillo always reflects the phenomena of the modern society,politics and culture in America.He also portraits and criticizes the reality in America through his works.He is likely to be opposite to the modern society and hopes to revolt against the unfairness and oppression of the society in his writing.Firstly,this thesis explores the postwar “underworld” in America which is full of crises such as the destruction of nature,technology waste in human society and human spiritual chronic violence because of the post war environment as well as the anxiety because of the environmental injustice.Secondly,this thesis investigates the redemption of environment and humans themselves with the practical efforts of characters facing with the environmental injustice.There are awakening of human mind,the resistance of environmental injustice and the active practical actions to eliminate the environmental injustice in this novel.All of these can show the aspirations of humans for the better future of the world.This thesis reveals such injustice crises between humans and environment,while it also analyzes the characters’ aspirations to live a peaceful life with environment and appeals to humans for completing the peace vision in practical actions in daily life.