| Michael Ondaatje’s The English Patient(1992)has aroused heated discussions from critics and common readers abroad and at home after its publication,especially after the release of Anthony Minghella’s film adaptation,due to its exemplification of Ondaatje’s thoughts on identity and nation and his post-modern writing skills.Among all researches,studies on the cosmopolitan elements in the novel are far from enough,thus,this thesis aims to make a further exploration of cosmopolitanism in Ondaatje’s The English Patient,and points out that Ondaatje’s explorations about cosmopolitan identities and cosmopolitan ethics in the novel both strengthen readers’ understanding of cosmopolitanism and cultivate their cosmopolitan hospitality.This thesis consists of five chapters.Chapter one gives a brief introduction about Michael Ondaatje,The English Patient,and a literature review of studies at home and abroad,and an introduction of Kwame Anthony Appiah’s cosmopolitanism.Chapter two analyzes the rootless cosmopolitanism in the novel.On one hand,rootless identity provides an opportunity for characters to escape from their traumatic past and national responsibilities.On the other hand,it cultivates an open mind for characters to enjoy the human civilization worldwide.However,through depicting the characters’ failure to become rootless cosmopolitans,Ondaatje denies the possibility of being rootless in an isolated situation.Chapter three analyzes the rooted cosmopolitanism in the novel.Ondaatje’s exploration on rooted cosmopolitanism focuses on the double perspectives,namely local allegiance and cosmopolitanism,and the limited responsibilities.But the separation of the characters in the villa and Kip’s final disillusion of the West reveal the difficulty of rooted cosmopolitanism in a world full of imperialism.Chapter four analyzes Ondaatje’s cosmopolitan ethics in the novel.By analyzing the importance of two major methods in cosmopolitan ethics,such as the story-telling and conversation,Ondaatje affirms the positive aspects of cosmopolitanism as a kind of ethical practice.Chapter five concludes that Ondaatje’s discussions about cosmopolitan identities and cosmopolitan ethics and his creative proposals of two effective ways for strangers’ harmonious coexistence both strengthen readers’ understanding of cosmopolitanism and cultivate readers’ cosmopolitan hospitality. |
