向死而生——评《死者》中雪的象征意义

To live by confronting death: A comment on the symbolic meaning of the snow in "The Dead

雪是乔伊斯《都柏林人》中的压轴篇《死者》的主导意象 ,仔细解读这个意象 ,我们可以把握乔伊斯对待生死的看法 ,对待爱尔兰的态度。雪既是死亡的象征 ,又是生命的象征 ;其实生与死本来就是密不可分的 ,死亡既是生命的结束 ,又是生命的开端。

Snow is the leading symbol in James Joyce's story, 'The Dead' Snow comes in the coldest season of the year, causing death to both animals and plants However, when the following spring comes, snow will turn into water, thus bringing new life to all the living things in the world The paradox of snow tells that life and death is indivisible: death is the end of life as well as the beginning of life, for death breeds new life Therefore, we should not be afraid of death By embodying the death and rebirth pattern in the symbol of snow, Joyce not only expresses his philosophy of life, but also his optimistic view towards the future of Ireland