托马斯卡莱尔(1795年).ppt

Thomas carlyle(1795~1881) Outline His life His works The characteristics of his works Past and Present Selected reading: chapter Ⅺ Labour His life An essayist, historian, and philosopher. One of the most influential man of letters in the mid-Victorian period. Born into a peasant’s family in Scotland; Entered Edinburgh University ; teaching maths in a school instead of becoming a clergyman; studied law. Married Jane Welsh (in 1826) , a Scottish lady of strong character; later settled on a farm which was the property of his wife. In 1834 moved to London. The Characteristics of His Works He denounces the privileged classes of England—the aristocrats and the new industrial rich. Attacks the aristocrats for their uselessness,and their being idle. Attacks the industrial bourgeoisie for their worship of money. He calls for spiritual force which has been corrupted and benumbed by mercantilism(重商主义). The spirit he desires is that of renunciation/self-denial（克己）, duty, work and reverence. Heroes are wanted to govern the society efficiently. His works Sartor Resartus , （旧衣新裁）1833-1834 He made fame for History of French revolution, 1837 German Literature, 1837 Periods of European Culture, 1838 Heroes and Hero Worship, 1841 Past and Present, 1843, Reminiscences,(回忆录) 1881 Past and Present His times— “decadence” “The Great Man was always as lightning out of heaven; the rest of men waited for him like fuel, and then they too would flame.” “The history of the world is but the biography of great men.” Past and Present 1. The genre—essay—political literature: it combines medieval history with criticism of 19th-century British society. 2. The gist: “This account of a medieval monastery had taken Carlyle’s fancy, and he drew upon it in order to contrast the monks’ reverence for work and heroism with the sham leadership of his own day.” Past and Present 3. The structure Book 1: Proem-Carlyle expresses his ideas about the Condition of England question in an elevated rhetorical styl