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From Antinomy to Syncretism-the Religious Passage in John Updike’s Novels

Author: GuZuoZuo
Tutor: HongZengLiu
School: Anhui University
Course: English Language and Literature
Keywords: Updike Religion: Holy Secular Opposition Merge
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Type: Master's thesis
Year: 2004
Downloads: 275
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Abstract

In this thesis, the first in the domestic scholars to explore changes in religious thought reflected in his works of important American writer John Updike (1932 -). Compared to contemporary writers, Updike prominent feature is religious concerns. In his literary career, he has always been religious in community development maintained a keen interest in his work inevitably reflects his thinking on religious issues. In other words, his work can be seen as a microcosm of the process of American religious history. Works, Updike, not only from the eyes of the world situation and the change of religion in modern society, made a profound analysis, but also from the clergy's position on this issue. The relationship between the sacred and secular both papers displayed from the analysis of in Updike religious novel paper is intended to clarify his religious thought has gone through three stages of development, three stages coincided with his three corresponding religious overtones doctrinal works. The paper first discusses the causes of of Updike religious thought - family background as well as the impact of two theologians, followed by a discussion of Updike's own view of religion and change. Thesis the main focus on the religious thought of Updike works reflect that in the the three novel poorhouse Bazaar, \In these works, the relationship between the sacred and the profane by the the initial antagonism development and later fusion, the development of the relations between the religious and the secular world as well. This change is actually mapped Updike himself religious attitude change: the show from the poorhouse Bazaar decline of religious traditions, grief, lament and resistance to religious change, to \religious awareness and generate interest in the new trends of modern society, to Sunday of the month in the religious and the secular world ultimately the convergence. Despite the growth in the atmosphere of Lutheranism, but in their own religious beliefs, Updike also gone through several changes in resolutely support of Karl Barth, from the initial to the more liberal theology of Paul Tillich thought supported. The devout family background he witnessed the traditional religious lament the decline of modern society endless, in grief at the same time, however, he once again a the enlightened optimism religions mentality to accept the changes in religious form. In his later works, he had a keen interest in how to develop the problem of religion in modern society. Updike observed, the when traditional religious status can not be restored, the divine religions closer to the secular life to adapt to the requirements of the new situation of religious, this is sacred secularization he works. But this is not to say that the religious status to replace the use of secular life, contrary secular world also needs to change, otherwise people might fall into the the fully materialized sad situation, this is his performance secular sacred. In addition, the authors of the of Updike himself on the attitude of the religious crisis, and suggests the way out to be evaluated. The authors also found that in the course of the study, Updike in his works not only on religion in modern society, the trend shows a strong interest, is also intended to investigate how to balance at the poles of the sacred religion and secular life in modern materialized society relations, to find a way to resolve the crisis of spirit permeates Western society. However, in Updike's work but did not provide a clear answer to solve the problem. Which may have two reasons: The first is due to the the fuzzy guidelines he pursued in the works of creation, the second is not the end of his path of exploration. Therefore, the reader is only through careful analysis of his work to find out he suggests possible ways to ease the crisis. It is noteworthy that a divided three stages and not in accordance with the order in which the time of writing, rigidly applied to analysis of Updike's works, in fact, these three stages will sometimes cross appears, the same theme is repeated in different works in. Divided in three stages only, but also conducive to the analysis of his works reflect the religious themes in order to facilitate the study of the transformation of religious thought Updike.

From Antinomy to Syncretism-the Religious Passage in John Updike’s Novels

Abstract

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