湘潭大学美国文学.ppt

One living in his native culture does not realize his shortcoming. Foreign literature makes us find our even our nation’s shortcomings. The influence of literature is subtle and pervasive not apparent; far-reaching not direct. Literature is a mirror reflecting the process of society. In the short period of 200 years, American literature has become an important part of literature world with its own unique characteristics and charm. Through the study of American literature, we can get well knowledge about American society and culture, which gives us examples and some lessons during social progress, especially modern literature. There exists some similarities of evolution of human history and society. (Modern literature: urbanization, money worship, impersonalization, alienation and ment111al crisis) Besides, literature can bring pleasure and philosophy of life. Taking some poems for example: Frost 从明天起，做一个幸福的人  喂马，劈柴，周游世界  从明天起，关心粮食和蔬菜  我有一所房子，面朝大海,春暖花开  从明天起，和每一个亲人通信  告诉他们我的幸福  那幸福的闪电告诉我的  我将告诉每一个人  　给每一条河每一座山取一个温暖的名字  陌生人，我也为你祝福  　愿你有一个灿烂的前程  　愿你有情人终成眷属  　愿你在尘世获得幸福  　我只愿面朝大海，春暖花开 The Road Not TakenRobert Frost Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveler, long I stoodAnd looked down one as far as I couldTo where it bent in the undergrowth; 黄树林里分叉两条路，只可惜我不能都踏行。我，单独的旅人，伫立良久极目眺望一条路的尽头，看它隐没在从林深处。 Then took the other, as just as fair,And having perhaps the better claim,Because it was grassy and wanted wear;Though as for that, the passing thereHad worn them really about the same, 于是我选择了另一条路，一样平直，也许更值得，因为青草茵茵，还未被踏过，若有过往人踪踪，路的状况会相差无几。 And both that morning equally layIn leaves no step had trodden black.Oh, I kept the first for another day!Yet knowing how way leads on to way,I doubted if I should ever come back. 那天早晨，两条路都覆盖在枯叶下，没有践踏的污痕：啊，原先那条路留给另一天吧！明知一条路会引出另一条路，我怀疑我是否会回到原处。 I shall be telling this with a sighSomewhere ages and ages hence:Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –