论文总字数：48121字

摘 要

马克·吐温是美国文学史上杰出的作家。他以讽刺、幽默的写作风格创造出美国文学史上的新纪元，并影响了当代的许多作家。作为一个现实主义作家，他的作品《哈克贝利·费恩历险记》呈现出一种强烈的讽刺主义色彩，通过这部著作深度剖析了生态主义问题。

《哈克贝利·费恩历险记》是马克·吐温的著名小说之一，讲述的是淘气男孩，哈克和奴隶，吉姆在密西西比河上历经各种冒险寻找自由并最终获得自由和珍贵友谊的故事。在1970年，生态主义是基于马克思主义“典型环境中典型人物”的基本原理发展而来并引起了广泛的关注。生态主义的发展、生态主义与非生态主义元素的分析是本文的主题。本文将从生态主义的角度分析小说中三位主人公哈克贝利·费恩，黑人奴隶吉姆，汤姆·索亚的信仰，品格以及他们对自然，生活和命运的态度。

该论文的第一部分将对《哈克贝利·费恩历险记》进行概括，并给出作者的简介。文学评论在文章的第二部分。第三部分将从生态主义的角度分别对生态主义和非生态主义元素的特征进行分析。第四部分得出总结，这部生态主义作品揭示了混乱的社会秩序，精神空虚和拜金主义旨在呼吁人们回归自然，回归自我。通过分析这部作品我们能更好的理解马克·吐温的生态主义。

关键词： 《哈克贝利·费恩历险记》 生态主义 自然 性格 命运

1. Introduction

1.1 Introduction of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

As the most representative ecological novel by Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was regarded as “All contemporary American literature originated from a book of Mark Twain that is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Ernest Hemingway in his book Green Hills of Africa (6). The whole story happened on the eve of the civil war when racial discrimination, slavery obstructed the development of society and money worship, spiritual emptiness, vanity prevailed. At the beginning, it described the fact that Huck felt very depressed and uncomfortable because of the civilized life and various rules. He desired freedom and enjoyed adventurous experience with Tom Sawyer. During his driftage along the Mississippi River with slave Jim, they underwent a variety of adventures which made Huck became a brave, righteous, kind-hearted boy and got rid of the ignorant and backward ideas about black people to achieve valuable friendship. Through the distinct comparison on different lifestyles by depicting ecological and non-ecological elements in this novel, Mark Twain delivered his choice of faith, praisable traits of heroes and the respect for nature under the degenerative society. Humanity’s return, harmony with nature and abolishment of slavery accompanied with analysis of ecological and non-ecological elements have been the main issues talked in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

The story involved three boys, Huckleberry Finn, Jim and Tom Sawyer, and their characteristics. At the beginning of the novel, Mark Twain depicted the civilization on the land into a locker to Huck; the free life attracts him to escape from Widow Douglas, from his bad-tempered father. These factors stimulate Huck to disguise criminal plot and with the edge of summer, he gets raft to drift on the vibrant Mississippi River. The honest, friendly slave – Jim cannot acknowledge the fact that he has to be trafficked to the downstream area again and separates from his beloved family, he makes an amazing choice and escapes. Although Tom Sawyer has few chapters in this novel, he is the typical symbol of urchin who is the most important friend for Huck and shares the cherished adventure with Huckleberry Finn. His lovely and distinctive characteristics show us that there are still some people or children who are simple-hearted like Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn. They are eager to blend with nature, enjoy themselves in nature and express their gratitude to nature rather than take something for granted from nature.

1.2 Introduction to Mark Twain and his ecologism

Mark Twain, pseudonym of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, was a native American, born in 1935 in Florida, Missouri. He was an accomplished writer who enjoys high reputation in American native literary and the founder of American critical realism. Throughout his life, he had done a lot of jobs, for instance deliverer, compositor, and later in the Mississippi River as seaman and helmsman, etc., and all of these special experiences had contributed to his brilliant achievements in literary. He was known as “the father of American literature”.

Mark Twain wrote The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn when his business publishing company went bankrupt which become a symbol of the fate of his life and creative style of a major turning point. Meanwhile, the pessimism and nihilism clearly permeated his works. His works took the advantage of humorous tune and sarcastic intonation, including Millions of pounds, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Jumping Frog, etc.

The ecological and non-ecological elements in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn includes Ecofeminism, American Western Culture, the meaning of natural symbolism, the important way that the writer conveys his judgment on the anxious society. This novel expressed the pursuit of freedom, honesty, ideal destination through techniques of comparison and symbolization about raft, the Mississippi River, some ecological elements and two fraudulent, the feud between two families, Carol town, some non-ecological elements. It was not only a famous novel for children but also a good chance for adults to sense a variety of complicated situation of the 19^th American society. In this novel, Mark Twain portrayed the lost, the lust and the vanity society by using sarcastical techniques. He made a good combination of stern voice and funny intonation to show us his ecological and non-ecological conceptions. In terms of the fact in that age, Second Industrial Revolution caused a lot of environmental problems which were polluting the great mother river—the Mississippi River. Furthermore, people’s mental health, values and awareness of environment were in the face of collapse. By shaping typical characters, this humorous fiction aimed at attracting more focus on ecological problems and helping people to seek for their real soul.

2. Literature Review

2.1 Review of development of ecologism

Ecology points out that the relationship between man and nature is equal and advocates the view of regarding nature as human being’s “partner of survival”. Human beings ought to be kind to nature and be respect to nature. The core of ecological ideology is the systemic notion, the overall notion and the associated notion. The stability, balance and overall interests of ecosystem are the highest standards to decide value judgments. They are much more important than humans, any species or any partial benefits. Original ideas of ecocriticism were based on the growth number of consciousness of the worsening global ecology and the profound deterioration of environment which are threatening the survival of humans. Ecological Criticism first appeared in 1970s and in 1990s it has been rapidly developed. In 1974, the American scholar, Joseph W. Meeker in his study: The Comedy of Survival: Studies in Literary Ecology put forward the conception of literary ecology, which is, doing some biological research in the literature. (9) In 1978, William Rueckert in the paper Literature and Ecology: An Experiment in Ecocriticism first use the term of “ecological criticism”, he clearly stated that: “Making a combination of literature and ecology.” (71) In terms of “ecological criticism”, the most accepted by most critics is to be defined by the American Ecological Criticism, Cheryll. Glotfelty, The Ecocriticism Reader: Landmarks in Literary Ecology, she is the main promoter to make a definition about ecocriticism, “the ecological criticism mainly explore the relationship between literature and criticism of natural environment.” (18)

2.2 Review of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Mark Twain is an accomplished writer, having broad interests and rich experiences, which have significant influence on his works. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is no exception, which involves in nature, ecologism, trait and destiny, etc. In terms of ecologism, a lot of writers have expressed their attitudes towards this famous work.

In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: the ecocriticism of Mark Twain’s Ecological Thought, Wang Yuan noted that “Nowadays, with the increasingly number of attention focus on people’s survival environment because of serious ecological crisis, the ecological criticism emerges as times requires which made natural care as their sacred mission. As the most influential work of Mark Twain, we can learn about author’s ecological humanism spirit by analyzing ecological theme of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” (25) And she also stated that “Mark Twain in Huck’s perspective to criticize human being’s lust and their ignorance of nature which indicates his eagerness of harmony with nature.” (25)

Also, in Xu Ruihua’s opinion, “Through portraying natural ecology, social ecology and spiritual ecology to reveal the fact that modern industrial civilization has destroyed natural environment, human nature and relationships. These three conceptions of ecology also unveil the disguise of capitalist civilization and express the idea of ecological regression.” (4)

Besides ecologism, critics are also made by others from point of characteristics of heroes.

In An analysis of Huckleberry’s water character, Zhu Jingyuan wrote that: “The ecological characteristics of river and forest make up Huckleberry Finn’s majority ecological characteristics. In terms of river, it represents unity and integrity. The unity means that natural power from the Mississippi River to distinguish guilty and innocent in the world. The integrity exposes the crime of slavery society in order to express social ideas of democracy and equality of freedom. These two aspects constitute a wise, strong hearted and resistant Huck. About the aspect of forest, it stands for fraternity which makes up an upright, honest Huck and a lofty spirit of self-reflection.” (2)

Li Yongmei and Huang Xiaomei drew a conclusion of Jim’s fate.

“Jim’s long journey of pursuing his freedom never ends at the end of the novel when he is granted freedom by Miss Watson; it is the very beginning. If he wants to enjoy his “freedom”, he has to give up his wife and children and stay in a Free State or go abroad (actually it is very hard for him to get real freedom because of historical, political and social reasons). If he decides to work hard and earn enough money to buy his family out of the slavery, he must risk the danger of re-enslavement.” (199)

At the end of the novel, Mark Twain set a satisfactory plot that Jim has been made a free man by Miss Watson in her will. Though he is granted free at last, it is certainly difficult that he can really get his freedom at the 1840s in America. Gao Lijuan claimed that the harmony ending maybe ridiculous but it uncovers the truth of the novel. At first, it was a kind of criticism of romantic literature and Mark Twain appealed to focus on realistic creative style. Secondly, the absurd ending displayed Huck’s paradoxical mental activities. It was indecency to save a Negro which promotes Huck to realize the fact that Negro shares the same equality with the white people at the end. Finally, although slavery has been legally abolished by Emancipation Proclamation, the spiritual slavery has not been released; namely, racial discrimination was deeply rooted in people’s ideology. (40)

2.3 Purpose of study

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a well-known American ecological work. A famous adventure novel written by Mark Twain, tells a story about how a young boy Huck and a kind slave, Jim seek for freedom along the Mississippi River. Huck’s ideological shift is clearly shown as a symbol of abolition and equality. The article is written from the perspective of Huck’s experience to analyze ecologism, humanity and desire of returning nature.

This paper will give a further explanation of the Mark Twain’s ecologism. Ecological and non-ecological elements, characteristics and contrasts will be the key focuses. Mark Twain’s true understanding about ecologism can be learnt from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and a thorough and more comprehensive cognition of ecological theory is hopeful to be obtained.

3. Ecological and Non-ecological Elements in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

3.1 The Ecological Figures seeking for freedom along the Mississippi River

3.1.1 Huckleberry Finn

Huckleberry Finn was an everlasting figure to be shaped as “son of nature”.

Huckleberry Finn was a rebellious image with a strong sense of justice. Huck’s prototype could be found from the most famous ancient Greek myth The Odyssey (Odysseus). Odysseus’s drifting was a manifestation of individual consciousness and adventurous spirit of exploration of the ancient west. A hero was eagerly summoned to switch situation of dark sides of American society, moral decadence and hypocrisy of slavery. And the pattern of American hero was not the one who is restrained by the shackles of tradition but the person who is adventurous, self-reliance and by their own efforts to realize their life values. Huck is a significant figure who can be regarded as a prototype American hero. So, “Huck” in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is “Odyssey”, a kind of mapping and echo in another space.

Huckleberry’s naivety, wisdom, perseverance and courage make a perfect display of adventurous spirit of the American-style. In the novel, Huck had encountered with dangers for many times. He witnessed gangsters in the wrecked Scott to suspect each other and the tragedy of killing their partners but the ship capsized and no one survived. He was also knocked out big waves in water then involved in rancor between two south wealthy generations. He also witnessed the shameless fraud “King” and “Duke” to deceive three sisters who just lost their dear father. After each danger, Huck can successfully escape.

It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger; but I done it. And I warn’t ever sorry for it afterwards, neither. I didn’t do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn’t done that one if I’d a knowed it would make him feel that way. (162)

Afterwards, he gradually realized that the cruel and gloomy system of slavery, and with the black Jim establish a deep trust and friendship during their escape, which was unimaginable in southern society. Every time of escaping danger is a symbol of reviving in Huck’s soul and spirit which marks the growth and maturity of his thought. At last, Huck was determined to get rid of social bias and rescue Jim to regain his freedom.

“It was a dreadful thing to see. Human beings can be awful cruel to one another.”(428) It shows that he has overcome all self-centered thinking and has been a young man who brimmed with a sense of responsibility, a sense of justice and love.

3.1.2 Nigger Jim

Jim was an honest and competent black figure, but he still cannot avoid being trafficked to downstream area and separating with his beloved family. Actually, his unfortunate fate is the majority of black slaves’ true reflection of life. In the face of persecution, he didn’t be submissive but courageous enough to escape. At the prevailing historical conditions, this should be very brave to rebel. He was also a compassionate person who has a spirit of sacrifice. During their drifting on the river, he could always take care of Huck; try his best to keep Huck away from suffering and frightening. Despite of his own safety, he insisted on remaining in the danger zone to help doctors to rescue and take care of Tom when Tom was shot and wounded.

But somehow I couldn’t seem him standing my watch on top of his’n, ’stead of calling me, so I could go on my sleeping; and see him how glad he was when I come back out of the fog; and when I come to him again in the swamp, up there where the feud was; and such-like times; and would always call me honey, and pet me and do everything he could think of for me, and how good he always was; (396)

Through portraying a series of noble behavior, the book tells us that the poor blacks in personality are not less than whites, even in many ways also more than whites and shattered the myth of racial discrimination heresy. By shaping this splendid character in this novel, Mark Twain intended to show that the abolition of slavery in the necessity and urgency. The touching and loyal friendship between Huck and Jim represented that maintaining freedom, survival and dignity for blacks are necessary. Jim showed his selfless loyal to Huck and an equal friend with Huck rather than a menial servant for Huck. All of these conveyed Mark Twain’s noble spirit of democracy and equality.

3.1.3 Tom Sawyer

Tom Sawyer was a smart and naughty child; he was an urchin who epitomizes wisdom, counsel, justice, courage and the leadership, and many other skills. He was a collection of multiple roles, resourceful, compassionate although he just has few chapters in this novel, and it made no influence on his resolution to break up shackles to be an unfettered hero and enjoy himself in nature. In the eyes of his aunt, he was definitely a naught boy but the aunt always be intenerated by his smart and resourcefulness. He was an amazing boy who is committed to seeking for freedom and getting rid of the heavy feudal education that is the reason why maybe he is an opposition at that age.

Well, one thing was dead sure, and that was that Tom Sawyer was in earnest, and was actuly going to help steal that nigger out of slavery. That was the thing that was too many for me. (432)

At last, Tom had already known that Jim has regained his freedom in Miss Watson’s will but the imaginative boy persisted in taking some actions to save Jim, for instance, keeping small animals, boring a tunnel, making tools and decorating cells, etc.

Some critics said that these plots and the harmony ending were the biggest failure in this novel that make readers so disappointed and weakens the glory of black Jim. On one hand, Mark Twain set these plots deliberately. Based on his personal depressed experience on Mississippi River, he changed his writing style in this novel and the harmonious ending was a loud voice to criticize the deceptive social reality.

On the other hand, he was faithful to the pure land of his soul; his heroes couldn’t and never changed their curiosity, adventurous spirits and yielded to the fact.

“and yet here he was, without any more pride, or rightness, of feeling, than to stoop to this business, and make himself a shame, and his family a shame, before everybody.” (432)

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