生命不能承受之轻__《晚安%2c妈妈》的存在主义解读.doc

CONTENTS Abstract………………………………………………………..……i 中文摘要………………………………………………………...…iii Introduction 1 Chapter One Existential Color in Jessies Life 7 1.1 Chanciness in Jessie7 1.2 Absurdity of Jessie?s World 11 Chapter Two Unbearable Relationships 15 2.1 Alienation from the Society 15 2.2 Alienation from Family Members 17 Chapter Three Free Choices of Jessie 28 3.1 Regaining of Autonomy28 3.2 Deconstruction of Death 37 Conclusion 40 Notes 42 Bibliography 43 Acknowledgements 46 Publications 47 Abstract Marsha Norman, whose plays have attracted the attention of audience with the unique charm, is one of the most famous and successful woman in contemporary American literary circle. Her daily language not only describes common people and daily life, but also highlights personal thinking and living situation in the whole society. Most of characters in Norman?s plays are mainly women who are trapped in dilemma in the life. Jessie, who represents this kind of women typically, is the heroine in the play ’night Mother. A panoramic view of the miserable life experience of Jessie is presented before spectators with much dialogue between her and mother. To get rid of the trap set by life and reality, Jessie finally resorts to suicide to obtain her true-self. This thesis aims to make a study of the reasons for Jessie?s suicide with the help of Sartre?s existentialism theories. The choice made by Jessie actually helps her achieve autonomy and deconstruction of nothingness. In addition to introduction and conclusion, the thesis is divided into three chapters. Chapter one centers on factors of suicide in Jessie?s individual life. This chapter is subdivided into two parts. The first part explores chanciness of individual life that leads to Jessie?s suicide. The epilepsy she inherits from her father by accident causes lots of incidents, which not only leads to loss of sense of self in the atmosphere of patriarchy culture, but also makes her lose the fundamental dignity and respect as