Spatial Deconstruction And Reconstruction

This thesis studies Kazuo Ishiguro’s representative novel The Remains of the Day from a spatial perspective to discuss the crisis and reconstruction of the identities of both the individual and the nation in the globalized world after the war and probe into Ishiguro’s open and fluid view of identity.The thesis adopts the humanist geographer Yi-Fu Tuan’s experiential space theory to analyze how the protagonist Stevens has perceived place and space during his journey and recollection,deconstruct his identity in the crisis brought by the changes of old place,and discuss his identity reconstruction during the exploration of new space.The theory based on experience interprets the construction of place and space and discusses the construction of identity from a spatial aspect,which suggests that identity be constantly constructed and adjusted through the accumulation of life experience and change of surrounding like the changes of place and space that life has been dwelled on.Taking place as the starting point,the dissertation demonstrates the stability and constraint brought by Darlington Hall as the central place for butler Stevens’ s identity perception,analyzes the crisis cast on individual and national identity led by the changed conditions of the hall,and deconstructs his identification with too much egoless affiliation and self-deception.Then it turns to space analysis and concentrates on how the strong sense of hierarchy cultivated by inner hall space has hindered the protagonist’s interpersonal relationship and fueled his illusion about the outer space and the nation.Meanwhile,the expansion of individual experiential space and the butler’s changed attitude from compromise to reconciliation towards the regrets in the memorial space were also thoroughly considered.Finally,it expands the view and explores the reflection on the British national identity and condition on the basis of individual experiential space and identity.Ishiguro’s personal experience and other novels have also been involved to probe into his dynamic and fluid view of identity.From the concrete to the abstract,from the individual to the entity,the novel not only reveals the personal identity crisis of butler Stevens but also discusses the inheritance of British traditional culture and its international orientation.The deconstruction from a spatial view shows that Stevens’ s identity crisis originated from the invasion on native culture and national identity reflected by the deconstruction of place and the loss of professional dignity and values presented by the shrinking of space.He tried to cope with it by escaping into the nostalgic past,but finally,he realized after his failure that only by actively reconstructing identity in the constant shifting of place and space with an open and fluid attitude can the identity crisis be settled properly in the ever-changing worldThis dissertation originates from a spatial perspective and discusses the identity reconstruction of the protagonist in The Remains of the Day and its reflection of British national status in the postwar world from the view of the construction of place and space.It presents Ishiguro’s reflection on personal identity and interprets his open and fluid view of identity.