从《欲望号街车》看现代美国南方人的生存困境-英语语言文学专业论文.docxVIP

THE SURVIVING PREDICAMENT OF MODERN AMERICAN SOUTHERNERS IN A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE By Zhan Lili Under the supervision of Prof. Hong Zengliu A thesis Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts to the School of Foreign Studies Anhui University April 2008 Acknowledgements There are a number of people to whom this thesis owes a great deal. Prof. Hong Zengliu supervised the thesis and gave me, while I was writing, constant help, detailed advice, the benefits of his knowledge and understanding of language and literature. At the same time, he was always ready to give me warm-hearted support and encouragement. I should also give my thanks to Prof. Hua Quankun, Prof. Chen Zhengfa, Prof. Chen Bing, Doc. Qi Tao from the English Department of Anhui University, who made a deep impression on my idea of literature, and led me into the world of drama in my undergraduate years.Their profound insights into drama gave me valuable inspirations to this thesis, and I hope this is reflected here. My thanks go to other teachers who have instructed me in my graduate work. Their serious attitude towards study and wide knowledge in different fields of English gave me a lot of inspirations. Special thanks I will give to my family. With the love and warmth from them, I get insights into life and literature. Thus the thesis came into existence. Abstract Generally regarded as an innovator of the new American drama after World War Ⅱ, Tennessee Williams is known for his powerfully written psychological dramas which reflect the typical mentality of the modern American southerners. Through a detailed analysis of the theme and the theatrical devices used in one of Tennessee Williams?s most outstanding plays—A Streetcar Named Desire, the thesis aims to reveal the surviving predicament of modern American southerners represented by the protagonist Blanche. Firstly, the play A Streetcar Named Desire describes the tragic life of Blanche in the modern society: in