Selections In Dilemma

Marilyn Robinson(1943-)is a famous contemporary American novelist and essayist.Her novels are rich in connotation,profound in meaning and beautiful in style.Her prose style is beautiful with extensive theme and far-reaching influence.When her first novel Housekeeping(1980)came out,this work occupied an important position in American literature.Based on the method of ethical literary criticism,the dissertation analyzed this work with three core terms of ethical literary criticism: ethical environment,ethical identity and ethical consciousness.The dissertation aims to find out the ethical problems contained in the work and explored the causes of these ethical problems,so as to provide profound enlightenment and instruction for the present society.Firstly,the dissertation argues that the characters in the novel live in a complex ethical environment,that is,the social ethical environment where patriarchy and gender discrimination coexist,and the family ethical environment where the lack of parental care coexists with the alienation of family structure.Then,the dissertation analyzes the contradictory ethical identities of the characters in the novel,namely,the irresponsible housekeeper,the students who violate the school rules,the rebellious daughters,the coldblooded mother and the confused orphans.Finally,the dissertation further explores the ethical choices made by the characters in the novel after experiencing the complex ethical environment.Meanwhile,the dissertation explores the transformation of the characters’ ethical consciousness from dependence to freedom,from imprisonment to liberation,from vagrancy to responsibility,from alienation to companionship.From the perspective of ethical literary criticism,the dissertation makes a new interpretation of Housekeeping,explores its intrinsic ethical factors and ethical essence,and provides the perspective for the study of Housekeeping.Figure 0;Table 0;Reference 41...