An Ecological Analysis Of Walden From A Systemic Functional Perspective

Since the 1880 s,global ecological problems have become increasingly prominent,and this negative phenomenon draws academic’s attention and gradually promotes the integration of linguistics and ecology,resulting in the interdisciplinary study of Ecolinguistics.As the central approach of ecolinguistics,Ecological Discourse Analysis focuses on ecological issues,concerns the impact of language on the environment,explains how discourse constructs the relationship between humans and nature,and reveals the ecological consciousness and ecological concepts hidden behind the discourse.Systemic Functional Linguistics provides strong theoretical support for ecological discourse analysis,and thus can become a new research path to be explored.This thesis conducts an ecological analysis of Henry Thoreau’s classic book Walden under the framework of Systemic Functional Linguistics to explore the ecological relationship between man and nature reflected by the novel,with the expectation that this thesis will further arouse people’s awareness to environmental issues,lead people to rethink the role that human and nature plays respectively and provide a new research direction for ecological discourse analysis.Supported by Transitivity and Attitude system of Systemic Functional Linguistics,this thesis uses the qualitative method to solve the following questions: firstly,how does Thoreau construct language to express the relationship between man and animals,man and man,and man and nature? secondly,through what linguistic attitudinal resources does Thoreau express his attitudes toward animals,human society,and nature.The thesis begins with an analysis of how Thoreau describes the relationship between humans and animals,humans and humans,and humans and nature from Transitivity system.Research finding are as follows: extensive material processes,relational processes,and behavioral processes are used to show the coexisting relationship between humans and animals,the detached relationship between humans,and the harmonious relationship between humans and the natural environment.The thesis then proceeds to analyze Thoreau’s attitudes toward animals,human society,and nature from Attitude system.Abundant positive attitude resources are used to express his equal attitude toward animals;negative attitude resources are used to denounce mankind’s blind pursuit of material conditions,calling on mankind to maintain a simple material life while pursuing higher spiritual freedom;in describing nature,positive attitude resources are applied to give endless praise to nature and deeply depict its spiritual beauty.