An Exploration Of The Living Dilemma In Marilynne Robinson’s Home From The Perspective Of Spatial Criticism

Marilynne Robinson is an outstanding contemporary American writer known for her graceful language and studied observations on mankind and religions in her works of fiction and nonfiction.As Robinson’s third novel that came out in 2008 and won the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2009,Home is portrayed from the perspective of Glory,daughter of the former Presbyterian minister Robert Boughton.It narrates the family daily life both in the past and at present.Many critics and scholars explore Home from the perspective of cultural criticism,archetypal criticism,ethical criticism and domestic and narrative space,but they seldom interpret the novel from the perspective of spatial criticism.This thesis analyzes the protagonists’ living dilemma in Home in light of Henry Lefebvre’s spatial theory so as to explore the reasons of the characters’ tragic life in depth.The analysis finds that the protagonists are severely restricted and constrained in physical space,then suffer from patriarchal culture and racial segregation in social space,and finally become alienated in psychological space.The study reveals not only the main characters’ severe suffering from their living dilemma,but also explores the reasons behind in great depth.It shows the author’s deep concern and philosophical thought of the living conditions in the after-war American society.Hopefully,this study can provide a new perspective for interpretation of the novel and enhance readers’ understanding and appreciation of Marilynne Robinson and her classic writing.