英语专业毕业论文ABriefAnalysisoftheImagesofChildreninDickens’Novels

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1、A Brief Analysis of the Images of Children in Dickens Novels.IntroductionIn the long period of domination of Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens was the most popular and internationally known English novelist. Being the greatest representative of the English critical realism, he gave us a most vivid pic

2、ture of everyday life, of the ordinary people of his time. He created a large number of unforgettable characters, well known and full of life. He had suffered so bitterly himself as a child and had seen so much evilness that he was burned with the desire to fight it to the end. While representing a

3、truthful account of the hardships born by poor people, he believed that a hard-working and honest man could achieve his little personal business under capitalism. The success of one great novelist would rely on the carrier: his works, to support himself. Charles Dickens wrote many a novel such as Th

4、e Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist, Dombey and Son, Hard Times and A Tale of Two Cities. Charles Dickens used his pen to mould a typical figure of all stratum in the Victorian age: Mr. Pickwick, the benevolent gentleman; Oliver Twist, the good lucky young man; Mr. Grandgrad, the victim of his own ridic

5、ulous utilitarian philosophy and Mr. Manetle, the innocent doctor who witnessed the French Revolution. All the above novels played an important role in Charles Dickens successful career. But David Copperfield, a novel based on his early life experiences, is Dickens satisfied reminiscence of his way

6、of life and literary reappearance of his personal history. Like Dickens, David works as a child, pasting labels onto bottles. David also becomes first a law clerk, then a reporter, and finally a successful novelist. Mr. Micawber is a satirical version of Dickenss father, a likable man who can never

7、scrape together the money he needs. Many of the secondary characters spring from Dickenss experiences as a young man in financial distress in London. So we can see that Dickens liked this novel very much.No wonder Dickens wrote, “of all my books I like this the best; like many fond parents I have a

8、favorite child and his name is David Copperfield”.David Copperfield, the strong-willed young man who relied on himself suffered a lot and at last became a successful novelist like Dickens. Through the description of David Copperfield, Charles Dickens made a fierce and harsh attack upon the bourgeois

9、 society, and at the same time shows deep sympathy to the benevolent, the poor, the depressed and the innocent. In this book, the good would surpass the evil, the truth would conquer the false and all kind-hearted people would embrace the endowments of life.Charles Dickens 2.1 A Briefly Statement of

10、 Novelists in Middle 19th century In the middle of the 19th century, there were a number of novelists in England between those conservative poets and prose-writers. They had a world of sympathy for the miseries and a strong feeling for the poor laboring masses. They cried aloud against social injust

11、ice but they also did not approve of violence to fight the social wrong. They had been known as critical of the social reality in the sense that they were strongly critical of the social reality of their time but they had never thought of overthrowing the existing social order that was in the way, t

12、hey could not establish a new one. These critical realists of the mid 19th century were all honest people and real artists in spite of their limitations in their general point of view on life. By exposing the social injustice and the guilt of the upper class, they put their hearts into describing th

13、e miserable existence of the common people. They gave a truthful picture of capitalist England of the time. They followed the fine tradition of their great literary predecessor of 18th century realism and early 19th century romanticism. They showed their warm sympathy for those people who suffered a

14、 lot.2.2 A Brief Introduction of Charles DickensThe greatest of the critical realists was Charles Dickens. In his early years, he worked as a reporter and this experience gave him a good knowledge of the political life of England at that time and it had a far-reaching effect upon his lifelong contem

15、pt for all the political institution which was practical in England. As result of his ability to notice things of London life, a number of stories and sketches of London street scenes, Sketches of Boz, was published. In 1837, his first novel Pickwick Papers appeared which won him a great reputation

16、as an important writer of the time. This success was repeated again and again during the rest of his life, with the publication of some 15 novels as well as lots of stories and countless sketches and essays. In his very early literary period, Dickens attacked one or more specific evils in England Vi

17、ctorian time: Yorkshire schools, capital punishment and so on. The most important of these novels was one to show optimism and a light and cheery tone, which was maintained, at the same time they had plenty of humor and laughter and reactionary forces for the Middle class who were running more rampa

18、nt, Dickens was more alive to the social reality and become more critical. Now, his optimistic spirit was replaced by strong feeling of depression and resentment. It was a successful period in which Dickens attained to his maturity as a great artist. The whole period was also characterized by the ch

19、ange and development of the great novelists artistic style. Charles Dickens childhood and young adulthood was definitely filled with enough drama. Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812.He spent his earliest years in the English seaport town of Portsmouth. Although the family did have a pencha

20、nt for living beyond their means, yet the early years of his life were idyllic enough. From many books in which mentioned his birth we can learn the evidence that Dickens was born on Friday, at Mile-end Terrance where his mother gave birth to him. This is a lofty pronouncement coming from a lowly go

21、vernment employee, with neither money nor title to lay claim to. Due to this, Charles “considered Friday his lucky day, needing to believe he had been born with great expectations and the talent and will to realize them”.When Charles was ten years old, the family moved into London. They lived in a q

22、uite expensive environment, but his fathers income was no longer as much as before. To Charless dismay, he was not to be enrolled in a London school, but he had to do the odd jobs around the house. It is believed that the termination of Dickens education had been a major blow to his ego, as “he had

23、already imagined himself a man with a profession, enjoying success. He would be a gentleman by talent and achievement” To help pay off the familys debts, James Lamert, a family friend, secured Charles a post at warrens Blacking Warehouse, a shoe polish factory. The job, which consisted of pasting la

24、bels onto pots of shoe polish, was a tedious and humiliating one for Dickens, especially when his boss moved him to a window at the front of the warehouse for all the passersby to see. It was also a time that Charles would never be able to forget. His situation only worsened when it became clear tha

25、t the extra money Charles brought home from his little income would not be enough to save his father from debt. On February 24, 1824, his father was arrested and sent to a debtors prison for failing to pay his creditors.This experience let Dickens write Oliver, and Oliver is Dickens in the novel.The

26、 Characters of Children in Dickens Novels One prominent feature of Dickenss humanism in his novel is attaching importance to portray children image as heroes. Dickens pays more attention to the fate of children. Those children, as described by Dickens, crying, laughing, commenting on life as adult a

27、nd dreaming the future, form a group of figures with their own personalities.Most of the children are orphans, adopted daughters, illegitimate children, posthumous children, even waifs of unknown origin with an orphaned and helpless lot. For example, David, Treadles in David Copperfield, Oliver in O

28、liver Twist, Dont in litter Dorr it, Pip in Great Expectation, Nell in the Old Curiosity Shop and Joe in Bleak House.The fable of Dickens essentially is the story of a lost or rejected child who endures intense suffering, both mental and physical, without losing his integrity; finally discovers the

29、secrets of his identity and is rewarded with happiness and prosperity.In his novels, he exposes many ill-treatment conducts, including mental and physical maltreatment. Childrens suffering is not only caused by the deficiency of materials but by mental torment.3.1 David in David Copperfield David wa

30、s subjected to the physical torment by Mr. Mudstone, even his born delicate and sensitive heart was injured, so he became eccentric and lost confidence; in Salem House School, Mr. Creaked was ignorant and mothers, failure to carry out obligations is also mocked and criticized. He satirizes Mrs. Alib

31、i who shows no consideration for the survival condition of children, and ridiculed “her career as charities in Telescope”, because she didnt fulfill her obligation, and she is so hypocritical and has no human feelings at all. The worst cruel is children in the society or school in which naive is nip

32、ped like jumping into a fiery pit. In the school of deserted child, Salem House School, besides leather-thronged whip, there is cold blood left to keep those children losing the love of family, of parents in bondage.Although David narrates his story as an adult, he relays the impressions he had from

33、 a youthful point of view. We see how Davids perception of the world deepens as he comes of age. We see Davids initial innocence in the contrast between his interpretation of events and our own understanding of them. Although David is ignorant of Steerforths treachery, we are aware from the moment w

34、e meet Steerforth that he doesnt deserve the adulation David feels toward him. David doesnt understand why he hates Uriah or why he trusts a boy with a donkey cart who steals his money and leaves him in the road, but we can sense Uriahs devious nature and the boys treacherous intentions. In Davids f

35、irst-person narration, Dickens conveys the wisdom of the older man implicitly, through the eyes of a child. Davids complex character allows for contradiction and development over the course of the novel. Though David is trusting and kind, he also has moments of cruelty, like the scene in which he in

36、tentionally distresses Mr. Dick by explaining Miss Betseys dire situation to him. David also displays great tenderness, as in the moment when he realizes his love for Agnes for the first time. David, especially as a young man in love, can be foolish and romantic. As he grows up, however, he develops

37、 a more mature point of view and searches for a lover who will challenge him and help him grow. David fully matures as an adult when he expresses the sentiment that he values Agness calm tranquility over all else in his life.3.2 Oliver in Oliver TwistOliver Twist shows the brutality of the obsolete

38、law for poor life and exposes the vice and crime of the London underworld.Oliver Twist was Dickens second novel, which marked the beginning of Dickens literary life. During much of the long period French Revolution began, England was engaged in the turbulent events on the continent of Europe, which

39、took a great change at home. However, Charles Dickens was born at that time the destruction of manufacturing equipment was made punishable by death. During this time England was plunged into the most ruinous depression that the nation had ever suffered. And the aggrieved masses placed the blame for

40、their sadness on the landlords and industrialists. Later came the beginning of regulation over the employment of children in factories. From that time on, an increased amount of legislation was enacted to control the hours of labor and working conditions for children and women in manufacturing plant

41、s. Dickens was quite sympathized for those people who lived in the corner, describing the criminals of Londons poor people to show much miserable reality. That reality was great and enduring strength of the book.Children image represents great social disaster. David became an orphan when he was very

42、 young; he was deserted in the bleak and boundless desert of life when he is dependent and cant face the frustration in his life. The specter of misery always haunts the poor children. In the workhouse Oliver of nine years old was tormented. He was skeptical and thin in his waist. After a week or tw

43、os gruel the clothes fluttered loosely on his wasted, sunken forms. To survive, “a council was held; lots were cast who should walk up to the master after supper that evening and ask for more; and it fell to Oliver Twist.” Olivers remark likes a bomb and workhouse is exploded. Everyone stared at him

44、 and didnt see why this pitiful orphan was so daring. They didnt give more but confining him in a black room. Loneliness makes a sensitive and precocious child more frightened than starved.Those foundlings in Dickens novels in so cold world in which there isnt any happiness for them. “Reveal the sad

45、 life of foundlingsis the core of Dickens novel,” he dissects deeply, extensively the phenomenon of cruel injury on children in society and family, and shows profound and wide indignation.Dickens depicts those children so vividly. What is his inspiration? We need to learn his experience and social b

46、ackground.Dickens novels frequently reflect the aspect of his own personal experience. These obviously the case with David Copperfield, as a fictionalized autobiography,The inspiration of his writing .3.3 Pip in Great ExpectationsThe frightened Pip is tormented by a sense of guilt which some readers

47、 have found excessive, for it is not justified by the events in his life. Julian Moynahan asserts，“Pip has certainly one of the guiltiest consciences in literature.” They explain his affair with Ellen Ternan and the break up of his marriage of over twenty years. But is Pips guilt excessive, and is i

48、t unjustified by the events in his life? First of all, this question assumes that our sense of guilt is always s proportionate to our actions, but is this true? Do we sometimes feel guilty over behavior, feelings, or thoughts which are natural, which are minor transgressions, or which we have no con

49、trol over? Do children, for instance, take responsibility for their parents divorce or a parents alcoholism and feel guilty?Second, is there indeed no justification in his life for his sense of guilt? Consider the way that he is physically, verbally, and emotionally abused by his sister. Could such

50、treatment give a child a sense of being somehow wrong and deserving to be punished? A close reading of the opening chapters suggests other possible causes for Pips guilt.His behavior at times causes his sister to assault Joe; when Joes oblique references to Pips supposed bolting of his bread drive h

51、er to knock Joes head against the wall, Pip looks on helplessly and “guiltily”.(Dickens,2003:10)In taking food to the convict, Pip is stealing, and he certainly knows that stealing is a crime.When Pop asks what a convict is, the only word Pop understands of Joes explanation is “Pip.” Reinforcing Pip

52、s identification of himself as a criminal, his sister says criminals who murder and rob (which Pip intends to do) always start by asking questions (which Pip has been doing). A little later he thinks he has somehow murdered Pumblechook with the doctored brandy. When he runs into the sergeant, he thi

53、nks the handcuffs are for him.Pip is made to feel that his very existence is a crime: “I was always treated as if I had insisted on being born in opposition to the dictates of reason, religion, and morality, and against the dissuading arguments of my best friends.” (Dickens,2003:21) His sister tells

54、 the Christmas dinner guests about the acts of sleeplessness I had committed and all the high places I had tumbled from, and all the high places I had rumbled from, and all the low places I had rumbled into, and all the in juries I had done myself and all the times she had wished me in my gave, and

55、I had contumaciously refused to go there. (Dickens,2003:26)She constructs a scenario of the ordinary actions of childhood as crimes; the final crime is his continuing to live. The guests all acquiesce. Only Joe, who is powerless to protect Pip, offers solace; he ineffectually spoons more gravy onto

56、his plate.Pip several times refers to the corruptness of his own nature.The adult Pip wonders what terrible acts he might have committed as a child, under the pressure of fear and the consciousness of having no adult to turn to for help: “I was in mortal terror of myselfI am afraid to think of what

57、I might have done on requirement, in the secrecy of my terror.” (Dickens,2003:13)He does not confess the theft to Joe because he is afraid of losing Joes love and trust. He sees this failure and the theft as examples of deliberate moral transgressions: “In a word, I was too cowardly to do what I kne

58、w what was right, as I had been too cowardly to avoid doing what I knew to be wrong.” (Dickens,2003:40)In the fight with the pale young gentleman in Miss Havishams garden, Pip confesses, “I am sorry to record that the more I hit him, the harder I hit him.” Looking back, the adult Pip hopes that he r

59、egarded himself “as a species of savage young wolf, or other wild beast.” (Dickens, 2003:90) The young Pip suffers agonies afterwards, expecting to be arrested or otherwise punished for the young gentlemans injuries.The culmination of pips being treated as a criminal occurs with his apprenticeship.

60、Pumblechook tasks Pip “into custody” and physically handles Pip as if he committed a crime; bystanders in court think he has been caught “redhanded”; one comments he “looks bad, dont he?” and another gives him a tract written for young criminals.(Dickens,2003:103)After his visit to Satis House, Pip

61、becomes ashamed of himself, his home, and Joe and dreams of becoming a gentleman. Would the rejection of the loving Joe, his true friend and constant companion, contribute to a childs feeling guilty?.Description of Children from Various Angles4.1 To Regain the Nature of Goodness Oliver Twist, one of

62、 the most famous works of Charles Dickens, is a novel reflecting the tragic fact of the life in Britain in 18th century. The author who himself was born in a poor family wrote this novel in his twenties with a view to reveal the ugly masks of those cruel criminals and to expose the horror and violen

63、ce hidden underneath the narrow and dirty streets in London.The hero of this novel was Oliver Twist, an orphan, who was thrown into a world full of poverty and crime. He suffered enormous pain, such as hunger, thirst, beating and abuse. While reading the tragic experiences of the little Oliver, I wa

64、s shocked by his sufferings. I felt sympathy for the poor boy, but at the same time I detested the evil Fagin and the brutal Bill. To my relief, as was written in all the best stories, the goodness eventually conquered devil and Oliver lived a happy life in the end. One of the plots that attracted m

65、e most is that after the theft, little Oliver was allowed to recover in the kind care of Mrs. Maylie and Rose and began a new life. He went for walks with them, and he worked hard at his lessons. He felt as if he had left behind forever the world of crime and hardship and poverty. How can such a lit

66、tle boy who had already suffered oppressive affliction remain pure in body and mind? The reason is the nature of goodness. I think it is the most important information implied in the novel by Dickens-he believed that goodness could conquer every difficulty. Although I dont think goodness is omnipotent, y