美国文学简史常耀信版讲义6课件.pptVIP

Hemingway theme --- “grace under pressure” Hemingways journalistic style: Hemingway is considered as the initiator of Journalistic style. Hemingways spare, laconic prose was influenced by his early work as a journalist, and he has probably had the greatest stylistic influence over 20th-century American writers of anyone. The key to Hemingways style is economy; we usually learn less about Jake through his direct interior narration, but more through what he leaves out and how he reacts to others. Hemingway provides a good outline of his own style when Jake describes Romeros bull-fighting style. Like Romero, Hemingway moves close to his subject, but eschews flashiness in favor of honest, authentic writing. --- “little is said, much is communicated”. Quotation: [Jake:] “Couldnt we live together, Brett? Couldnt we just live together?” [Brett:] “I dont think so. Id just tromper you with everybody.” Explanation: This exchange between Jake and Brett, which occurs in Chapter VII, encapsulates the central conflict of the novel, which is rarely directly expressed. One must read closely to understand what is at stake and what is being discussed. As always in Hemingways prose, while little is said, much is communicated. Jake begs Brett to be with him, but she replies that she would always “tromper” him, a French word here meaning “to commit adultery.” A wound Jake received during the war rendered him impotent, and he thus cannot satisfy Bretts need for sex. With her words, she is telling Jake that she would have to go with other men behind Jakes back, which she knows he wouldnt be able to stand. This central, intractable emotional conflict forms the backdrop for the action of the novel. The Old Man and the Sea --- one of the true classics of this generation. More than one interpretation --- It is an exciting but tragic adventure story. Sustained by the pride of his calling, the only pride he has left, a broken old fisherman ventures far out into the Gulf Stream