An Analysis Of Characters’ Dilemma In The Child In Time From The Perspective Of Space Theory

Ian Mc Ewen(1948--)is an influential novelist in contemporary British literature.It is not difficult to find out that Mc Ewen’s novels are full of humanistic concern,and he always pays attention to the characters’ survival predicament and the way of self-salvation.Therefore,revealing and transcending the survival dilemma is always the focus of Mc Ewan’s novel creation.The Children in Time,as an important turning point in Mc Ewen’s theme change,represents a shift in the focus of his works from the private,claustrophobic inner world to the external world of public life and political issues,or is the balance of the two worlds,the survival of the study of the plight of the characters and the plight of the deep thinking of the guiding value and significance.This article will take the spatial theory as the guidance and adopt the method of close reading to analyze the character dilemma in the novel The Child in Time.Physical space,social space,and psychological space are the three categories that Henry Lefebvre used to categorize space.Three sections make up the paper’s primary body.The first part analyzes the confinement of public urban space and private housing space to characters from the perspective of physical space.The tight scope of activities and dilapidated living environment in London give people a sense of desolation and suffocation,causing them to be in a state of depression and oppression for a long time;Stephen’s urban apartment,Julie’s hidden cabin,and Darke’s country tree house became their “besieged cities” respectively,immersing them in their own spaces,losing contact with the outside world,and also losing the opportunity to escape from dilemma.The second part analyzes the plight of the characters in the novel from the perspective of social space,including the oppressive social environment and opposing interpersonal relationships.The authoritative discourse in the novel is expressed in the form of “Manuel”,which represents the oppression of the public by authoritative figures.The resulting money fever and distorted patriarchal concepts have also triggered class opposition and opposition between adults and children.As a result,the entire society is in a disharmonious and chaotic state,with people at a loss and indifferent.The protagonists find it difficult to find their own position in society,to make up for the lack of soul,and to obtain warmth and a sense of existence.The third part focuses on psychological space,which refers to their contradictory values and traumatic memories that cannot be extricated.Influenced by the dominant social space,Stephen’s original values no longer align with the values formed later on,while Darke has been constantly torn between mainstream social values and hidden values in his heart.They both face the dilemma of alternating values in the psychological space.In addition,both of them took evasive measures in the face of mental trauma,indulging in traumatic memories and unable to extricate themselves,refusing to communicate with the outside world and losing their original lives.The space outlined by Mc Ewan in this novel is his projection of a broader human society.In this sense,the spatial perspective not only reflects the fictional world,but also reflects the real society.In the long journey of life,difficulties and tribulations are inevitable.Mc Ewan uses an incredibly candid literary attitude to depict the complex living conditions of humanity,allowing us to feel a responsible writer’s contemplation and questioning of life.Therefore,analyzing the plight of characters in novels can evoke profound reflection on their own situations in real society,especially in this rapidly developing and stressful era where people are in three spatial dilemmas,facing severe challenges in both material and spiritual aspects.This article hopes to provide some help to people in difficult situations,aiming to help them understand spatial difficulties,objectively evaluate their own situation,quickly find adjustment directions,thereby enhancing their coping ability and guiding people towards a healthy and optimistic life path.