康拉德小说《礁湖》中礁湖的象征意义.docVIP

An Interpretation of the Symbolic Meanings of the Lagoon 08英教2班 王 燕 0828010048 The Lagoon is a short stroy written by Joseph Conrad. In this novel, there are a lot of symbols and visual contrasts—black and white, dark and light, movement and still, sunrise and sunset, even water and fire. The imagery “lagoon” is a big symbol. It has many symbolic meanings in this story which include isolation, stagnation and death. “The lagoon” is defined as the body of comparatively shallow salt water which is separated from the deeper sea by a shallow or exposed barrier beach, sandbank, coral reef, or similar feature. It is the enclosed body of water behind a barrier reef. That is, at least, it is geographically isolated from the outside. What’s more, as an enclosed body of water, it is almost motionless waters. In the novel The Lagoon, when the white man wants to pass the night in Arsat’s house located in lagoon, they pass a long stream with somber and full forest standing on each side. The way to the lagoon is full of darkness, and mysteriousness. Just as the author describes “...Darkness oozed out from between the trees, through the tangled maze of the creepers, from behind the great fantastic and unstirring leaves; the darkness, mysterious and invincible; the darkness scented and poisonous of impenetrable forests.” The dense covering of forest impresses us an atmosphere of gloom and terror. It makes a strike contrast to the outside world. In this respect, the lagoon is just the isolation of darkness and light. The hero Arsat and his beloved—Diamelen dwell in the hut on the lagoon so as to escape the chasing of the rajah’s men. The reason why they choose this place is just because of the quietness and isolation. They want to start a new life in this isolated place, which helps them get rid of the outside confusions. However, the lagoon provides them the loneliness and fear. They have no friends except the white man. They dare not contact with other people and go out to sear