英語(yǔ)專業(yè)論文-淺析考琳·麥卡洛《荊棘鳥》中的圣經(jīng)情節(jié)

1、畢 業(yè) 論 文（ 屆）題 目 淺析考琳·麥卡洛荊棘鳥中的圣經(jīng)情結(jié) 學(xué) 院 專 業(yè) 英語(yǔ) 年 級(jí) 學(xué)生學(xué)號(hào) 學(xué)生姓名 指導(dǎo)教師 Biblical Complex in Thorn Birds by Colleen McCulloughA Thesis Submitted to* College*UniversityIn Partial Fulfillment of the RequirementsFor the Degree ofBachelor of Artsby*College* University May, 20*AcknowledgementsThis paper invol

2、ves many peoples efforts and assistance. So I especially wish to acknowledgethe following people. First of all, I owe my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Professor Yang Ling. As my supervisor, she kindly encourages me and presents many constructive suggestions on my paper. I am deeply greatful of

3、 her guidance in the completion of this paper.My sincere thanks also go to express my thankfulness to my classmates and friends for their consistence assistance and warm encouragement. Finally, thanks my parents a lot. They are always giving me endless love and care for my studying and writing.Conte

4、ntsAcknowledgementsAbstract.摘要.1 Introduction.12 Literature Review.2 3 Title Symbolization.33.1 Thorn Bird and Jesus33.2 Thorn Bird and Ralph and Meggie.44 Plots Symbolization.54.1 Move of Paddys Family and Exodus of Moses. .64.2 The Choice of Paddys Family and a Bowl of Red Bean Soup.74.3 Drogheda

5、and The Garden of Eden.75 Characters Symbolization.85.1 Mary Carson and Snake.95.2 Frank and David.105.3 Dane and Scapegoat.106 Conclusion.12Bibliography.14Biblical Complex in Thorn Birds byColleen McCullough 1 Introduction Colleen McCullough is a versatile Australian writer in 1970s. Her saga novel

6、 Thorn Birds which published in 1977, not only had its moment in US, but rapidly became “the international best-seller” in all the range of the whole world, and was regarded as Gone with the Wind in Australia. The story started in early 19 century and ended in early 1970s. In the beginning of the st

7、ory, the protagonist Paddy Cleary took his wifeFiona and children immigrating from New Zealand to Drogheda, Australia, because of the request from his elder sisterMary Carson, a woman who was rich but with no kids. The most important part of this story exposed the love between MaggiePaddy daughter a

8、nd Father Ralph.Up to the present, this books charm still did not fade with generations of readers in the world, which proves that this book indeed has the artistic charm. But if we read it attentively, we will find that perhaps it is its true fascination that lies in The Holy Bible which has spread

9、 thousands of years and been concealed or revealed in this novel.Here, in this thesis, we mainly analysis three aspects from the title, the plot and characters. Firstly, about the title, we will explain the meanings in two ways. Also, as the development of the story, we will divide the plots into th

10、ree parts. At last, we will according to three specific characters in details summarize the main ideas of this novel. 2 Literature Review Generally, about one famous book or novel, there is no doubt that it would have a lot of readers and critics. The New York Times (2003) said that Thorn Birds is l

11、ike a real fact. In Thorn Birds, three generations lived here, and at the same time, their love produced day by day. The plots are ebbing and flowing with a frequency. Even compared with the famous work Gone with the Wind, this book still has a deserved reputation. The London Times (2001) said that

12、the author Colleen McCullough is a genius standing for the women. She invited all the people to visit her inner world in that society. She gave the life to all the characters in this novel. Luckily, she just uses the simple description to attract readers interests. Lu wenbing（2004）advocated in his “

13、Reading the Love” that in this story, the main protagonist Ralph also cannot break away from the fact. As a man having rich emotion, he cannot end his passion. His soul was struggling with the pain and torment. As the same to Dimondale in The Scarlet Letter, Ralph cannot get rid of the desires to po

14、wer and the need to love. When Mary died, she left her property to the church of Roman catholic, but she required that the church must admire Ralphs ability and value. From then on, Ralph has been put in the war between God and Maggie. To Ralph, both of God and Maggie are important. He does not want

15、 to give up either of them. At last, the power defeats the love. The God wins Maggie. As if it is destined, Ralph does not belong to the God completely. He also does not belong to Maggie. They have the right to love each other because love is human nature. The legend of thorn birds predicts the life

16、 of Ralph and Maggie. The most valuable must be exchanged with high price. Maggie gave back what she stole from GodDane. Their love was destined to a tragedy. Some western philosophers argued that the Bible is “one of the origins of literary symbol”， such as writer Colleen McCullough. Colleen McCull

17、ough was born in a Catholic family. In the creative process of Thorn Birds, she wrote with “the bible complex". 3 Title Symbolization3.1 Thorn Bird and Jesus The novel called "The Thorn Birds", mainly owns this kind of story: There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its

18、 life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine. And, dying, it rises above its

19、 own agony to out-carol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song was existed. But the whole world stills to listen and God in His heaven smiles.The word “thorn” refers to a small bush in the mountains and shrub in the dictionary, appears many times in The Holy Bible, such as “cursed is the

20、 ground because of you; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you”, “sow among thorns” (Holy Bible 147-150), “hedge up her way with thorns”(Holy Bible 121-122), “twisting some thorns into a crown”(Holy Bible 212-216). Just as its name implies, the “thorn” opposes the goodliness and is the fen

21、ce hindering the people to realize the ideal. Then thorn bird is seeking for it actually and grips the spine into its chest, as if following some unconvertible principle. Quoted with The Holy Bible, this bird is a prophet; Jesus also is a prophet who was nailed on the cross to death, without any com

22、plain and regret, not revolting. On the one hand, Jesus told his disciples how to do, on the other hand, he does not make the penalty to evil person Judas. Because he knew this is Gods decree, and predicted the revival three days later. 3.2 Thorn Bird and Ralph and MaggieIn Thorn Birds, Ralph has mo

23、re than one chance to choose his own life, which is not controlled by the doctrine of religion. In order to get the power, fame and his career, Ralph abandons his love. His choice provides him with the power, and forbids himself at the same time. But on the other hand, he cannot forget Maggie and he

24、 realizes what Maggie means to him gradually. At that time, the religious doctrines have taken back his right staying with Maggie. Therefore, the tragedy happens inevitably. His song is not moving, maybe just can be as one kind of signal for help. Although the sound is loudly, it has no powerful eff

25、ects. So, none of people have mercy on him.For the love to Ralph, Maggie struggles with God and the surrounding. She can ruin herself all for Ralph. However, their end is tragic. Ralph passes away and so does Dane. The only thing Maggie stole from God is taken away by God. At last, Maggie has nothin

26、g but she knows clearly that she is right, just because she loves Ralph. It is worthy to her. Frankly, her beautiful singing enraptured all the readers. From a little girl, she spent one long period of time in her life to love Ralph deeply. Looks like thorn birds, she was sad and pain, but shook off

27、 the bad destiny. 4 Plots Symbolization We can look the titles as ones bones. People can not go or walk just with the bones. So, we need to have the fleshes and bloods. Fortunately, the plots were the same important to the titles. We will select three classic plots to show the inner connections.4.1

28、Move of Paddys Family and Exodus of MosesIn the beginning of this novel, men in Maggie's family have lost their only source of incomecutting the wool in New Zealand for the employer, because of a letter from an Australia which changes their destiny. Paddy's elder sister, Mary, persuaded them

29、 to immigrate to Australia, in order to succeed her industry. Gradually, one migration entered into the plot. So this is easy to think of the exodus story in Holy Bible. God was angry about that the pharaoh maltreatment to the Israeli, and then, God summons Moses to lead to Israeli “a happy broad la

30、nd flowing milk and the honey”.Similarly for the changing destiny in these two migrations, the scene also has the similar place. The Israeli including man, woman, the elder, and the baby, have experienced all sorts of misery in the journey, and finally arrived at Canaan under the heroic Moses leader

31、ship. In this migration of the novel, only troop's scale reduces. Actually male master Paddy shouldered Moses role initiatively. He had to make his wife and his family members happy and wanted to obtain the pasture for himself. Therefore he used his honest mouth to persuade the whole family, wit

32、h all his heart to his weak wife and the daughter. Finally, regarding the male families, they also need a leader's appearance.4.2 The Choice of Paddys Family and A Bowl of Red Bean SoupThe allusion“a bowl of red bean soup” in The Holy Bible has also entrusted with the recent meaning. When the Ma

33、ggies whole family knew that Mary gave her property which belong to them to a common priest Father Ralph, their expression is so calm, and feel happy for standing Drogheda continually, which is a homestead in northwest New South Wales to shearing the wool, as if they are only willing to be the peopl

34、e of obeying to others faithfully and satisfying for food and clothing. Even other people take away the property easily which belongs to them and does not spare a glance. They like Esau in The Holy Bible who lost the call of eldest son and the right of inheritance for “a bowl of red bean soup”. And

35、Esau was willing to be the servant for younger brother Jacob. And Jacob took advantage of Esaus precarious position and exchanged the eldest son power which belongs to his brother Esau with a bowl of red bean soups. At the same time, Ralph who makes use of the trust of guileless Paddys family to him

36、 and Marys stew, exchanges for 13,000,000 pound property rights by the scanty payment to the Paddys family.Therefore, we should realize that think twice before we leap. Never give up our right easily like Esau and Maggie, because we could not know what happen in the future. 4.3 Drogheda and The Gard

37、en of EdenIn Thorn Birds, Drogheda that is just the reprint of Garden of Eden, with the aid of the transmutation of art, is the fecundity and cruel piece of land with the flower and grass, trees and animals. Here each kind of tenacious life also has the love and evil, selfish desire breeding in Drog

38、heda. In Bible, as "Genesis" record, God sets up Garden of Eden in the East, and allows Adam to watch there. There are many trees growing in Garden of Eden, not only causing the human to be pleasant, also the fruits on the trees are fragrant and delicious. For Adams loneliness, God takes h

39、is rib to create Eve to accompany him. Eve and Adam lured by the snake to eat the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and have been expelled from the Garden of Eden by God. So, just like roses have thorns, the more beautiful, the more dangerous. Drogheda and the Garden of Eden were beautiful allu

40、ring, which has hidden great danger. 5 Characters Symbolization From whole to part, from the superficial to the deep, each character plays an important role in the novel. They have their special features and personalities. Because of our real life, we have to facing a lot of different experiences. I

41、n this novel, we will find many happiness or sadness feelings from the characters. And, we should try to know how the life on others . 5.1 Mary Carson and SnakeIn the novel, Mary Carson was overbearing and insolent. As her bad behaviors, she was regarded as the snakes incarnation. she has acted as s

42、nakes function, breaks the original order, causes the plots to reverse and make the characters destiny have the favorable turn. But Ralph with the attractive spatial semblance enters the church, pursuing the right and the money. Therefore he waits for the opportunities in front of Mary to seek the p

43、owerful economical support. But along with Maggies arrival, he gives up his pursuit nearly. Mary describes this point, but painstakingly cannot get Ralph, then turns herself from the love to the hatred, playing a role of the devil, and buys Ralph's soul with 13,000,000 pounds. Just as she said:

44、“Ralph, I love you, so much I would have killed you for not wanting me, except that this is a far better from of reprisal. Im not noble kind; I love you but I want you to scream in agony.”(The Thorn Birds 182-183). She writes in her will: “How pleasant it is to know I have a little of Satans power,

45、and am able to tempt the one I love with the whole world.”(Holy Bible 171)God, person and snaketriangle structure existed in Garden of Eden. Human was once in snakes restriction. However God finally punished the snake and the degenerates. Mary knew herself that she must go to hell as the Satan incar

46、nation, therefore she expects Ralph disciplined by God and his suffering flame burning in another hell more violently than this world created by God. 5.2 Frank and DavidThe young hero image of David in The Holy Bible is duplicated by Maggies brother Frank, from the appearance and the temperament, wh

47、o is diminutive, solid and powerful but violent, and he fights with other boys far and near. Because he is Fiona's illegitimate son, he is very difficult to be together with other boys in the family, and he is lonely and anxious. Both David and Frank taste the bitterness of life in the hot water

48、. They were the same kind of person.But the difference was that David unified the various Israeli races, made Jerusalem as the capital, also expanded the kingdom territory unceasingly, and became a famous king in the Middle East prevailed for a time. On the contrary, Frank actually has finally incur

49、red the legal sanction, and his dream to become outstanding has been buried in the jail.5.3 Dane and ScapegoatIn the novel, Dane has acted as the role of scapegoat. In Holy Bible·Leviticus, it said that the Israeli in the Day of Atonement took two goats as their offering of atonement, so the wo

50、rd “scapegoat” originated from this, but now it means taking the blame for others. Ralph ate the forbidden fruit and violated the pledge and Maggies curses to Gods boldly affronted to God. In Holy Bible Exodus, it said that, “For I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniqu

51、ity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me.” Dane was not interested in all common customs. He violated Maggies wish to be a priest, swore serving God for all his life, and finally lost his young life because of rescuing two drowning women, and then became the scap

52、egoat for his parents guilt. Danes sacrificing his own interests for the sake of others was endued with the image of Jesus martyrdom; when he was took his last legs, Dane just like Christ who suffered distress because of common people's crime, was tranquil and reverent, but did not do any strugg

53、les, regarded the death as the opportunity from God to bestow the test and suffer distress, and accepted the destiny baptism confidently. From Maggies angle, Dane's destiny was as if the prediction reappearance and fulfills about the Holy Bible “Rachels cry for her son”. When Maggie was pregnant

54、, her master Anne actually was unconventionally intellect and calm, because she was aware of the truth from her own destiny and the Greek mythology. “The Greeks say its a sin against the gods to love something beyond all reason. And do you remember that they say when someone is loved so, the gods be

55、come jealous, and strike the object down in the very fullness of its flower? Theres a lesson in it, Maggie. Its profane to love too much.” But Maggie said unconsciously that she would love this child with the purity of the Blessed Mother herself. The holy sonJesus destiny was well known. He was the

56、representative of the scapegoat image in the Western literature. He was so good, so temperate, however, he became the common peoples scapegoat, being charged with the responsibility for an offense for the common people and nailed on the cross to death. Depending on her vast knowledge Anne had indica

57、ted consciously Danes destinya sacrificial victim of loves and the parents error, but Maggie unconsciously regarded her own child as holy sonJesus, also herself as Mary. In this way, before Danes birth, his destiny had then been doomed, just like the well known holy sonJesus destinya scapegoat undertaking the responsibility for an offense for the common people who sews the cross. Not coming singly but in pairs, while Fiona at