Bucky’s Rebellion In Nemesis From The Perspective Of Spatial Criticism

Philip Roth(1933-2018)is one of the most famous contemporary American novelists.His works cover a variety of themes and have a profound analysis of human nature,life and realities,making him a master.Roth seeks inspiration from real life events,so most of his works are semi-autobiographical.Concern for American history,reflection on ethnicity,and examination of ethical issues form traditions of Roth’s writing for more than half a century.Late Roth’s creation,on the other hand,shows more humanity and historical depth.Roth arranges the interlinked cultural elements so that readers can understand the sarcasm and tragedy of Roth’s novels in the intersection of time and space.Nemesis(2010)is Philip Roth’s last work,which tells about a young Jewish teacher Bucky Cantor’s plight and unyielding faith under the multiple impacts of polio epidemic,anti-Semitism,and industrial modernization.On the basis of previous studies,through close reading and text analysis,combined with Lefebvre’s spatial criticism,this thesis studies the spatial problems in Nemesis.The thesis discusses repression and possibility of the protagonist Bucky,analyzes the interaction between man and space and explores Bucky’s liberation in subtlety.The main body of this thesis includes three parts.The first chapter describes Bucky’s repression and thinking in the perceived space Newark.Through analyzing Newark’s polluted urban streets,cramped dwellings and Newark schools,Bucky is oppressed in the spatial practice.Newark causes his doubts and makes him contemplate about the space he lives in,especially when he witnesses the chaos and disorder during the polio epidemic.He realizes individual helplessness in the powerful repressive space and makes up his mind to leave for Indian Hill.The second chapter discusses enlightenment and attempt of Bucky’s experiences in the lived space Indian Hill.With its paradisiacal location,unspoiled landscape and unique working style,Indian Hill Summer Camp constitutes a recreated space full of possibilities.Bucky enjoys the harmony of nature,the joy of labor and the celebrations of festivals without being subject to autocracy of rulers’ representations of space.However,the polio epidemic breaks this stability.The third chapter analyzes Bucky’s liberation in the conceived space.He gradually recognizes that representations of space should be practiced continuously from the mind.In the Jewish Weequahic Section of Newark he constantly reflects on the space conceptualized by all dominant power of capitalism and racism.In Indian Hill,he constructs the conception of poiesis.Finally,he settles in north Newark and changes his mind.He constitutes unique space experience and eventually forms the differential space to achieve individual rebellion.In summary,this thesis points out that Bucky is subject to various oppressions of race,religion,disease,and industrial production.However,his unique resistance is hidden in space,from awakening in Newark to practice in Indian Hill and finally to establishment of subjectivity in mind.Similarly,Roth’s criticism of persistent social problems projects on protagonist Bucky.The mental liberation of Bucky is Roth’s enlightenment to the world.