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A Perfect Combination of Tradition and Modernity

Author: GaoFei
Tutor: WangXiaoLing
School: Anhui University
Course: Comparative Literature and World Literature
Keywords: As I Lay Dying tradition modernity combination root-seeking consciousness
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Type: Master's thesis
Year: 2011
Downloads: 99
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Abstract

As one masterpiece of William Faulkner, As I Lay Dying occupies a unique place in all his works. Faulkner once commented this novel as his simplest and easiest work to read, and suggested that people reading his works should start from this book. In As I Lay Dying, for the first time, Faulkner sets the story in Yoknapatawpha and Jefferson, laying a foundation for the "Yoknapatawpha country" in his following works. However, until 1980s, some critics still consider it as "one of the most complexed, confusing novels". In fact, this novel seems simple, yet it contains complicated thoughts and writing skills. Either from the study of the author, or from the study of his works, this novel serves as a key to studies on Faulkner’s works, therefore it is worthwhile to study it in depth.Because Faulkner’s novels are open in the contents and diverse in the forms, the academic fields at home and abroad have shown immense interests on them. Scholars give different interpretations from various perspectives. The early studies on the one hand concentrate on the textual analysis from the structure, form, language usage, etc, and on the other hand, probe into the characteristics of American southern cultural heritages reflected in his novels. Recently, studies on Faulkner’s works have been focused on the interpretation of his works from the perspectives of modernism and post-modernism, emphasizing the modernity and anti-tradition in his novels. When choosing materials to analyze, scholars always choose his novels like The Sound and The Fury or A Rose For Emily, ignoring As I Lay Dying, which is also quite representative and equally important. This study converts the stereotype of the binary conflicts of tradition and modernity, and proves that under the coat of modern forms, what really matters is the traditional content from within. This perfect combination of the two seemingly conflicting elements of tradition and modernity becomes his unique writing style. On the basis of other scholars’researches, by using As I Lay Dying as a case, this paper shows that Faulkner, being a writer raised in the traditional environment, has a basically traditional world outlook. However, it is his attachment to tradition that makes him carry out many bold yet successful experiments in his novels. He adopts a series of modern writing skills, not to deny tradition, but to reborn it. The quest for ideal combination of modernity and tradition shows his "root-seeking consciousness" for traditional culture, which makes his novel penetrating and thought-provoking.The Introduction mainly includes the literary reviews, the research method, and the significance of this research.Chapter One introduces the background of Faulkner’s literary works from two perspectives. One is the deep-rooted tradition complex, and the other is the high tide of modernism in the 20th century;Chapter Two analyses Faulkner’s attachment to tradition reflected in As I Lay Dying. It discusses characteristics of traditional southern people in the novel and the acceptance of the literary tradition before 20th century;Chapter Three decodes the subversion of tradition in As I Lay Dying. It discusses the subversion of traditional literary senses and the expressing methods of modernism in this novel;Chapter Four mainly analyses how Faulkner combines the traditional content with modern methods perfectly in As I Lay Dying. It digs into the reason for the "root-seeking consciousness" and discusses the unique artistic style of this novel.;Chapter Five, on the basis of previous analysis, summarizes the meaning of Faulkner’s perfect combination of tradition and modernity, and its influence on American and Chinese literature.The Conclusion summarizes again the practical meaning, the originality, and short-comings of this research.

A Perfect Combination of Tradition and Modernity

Abstract

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