“家中天使”的悲剧——《一个小时的故事》和《穿夏装的姑娘们》的比较分析

The Tragedy of the “Home Angels”——A Comparative Analysis of The Story of An Hour by Kate Chopin and The Girls in Their Summer Dresses by Irwin Shaw

《一个小时的故事》是美国19世纪女作家凯特.肖班的短篇小说经典。《穿夏装的姑娘们》是美国20世纪男作家欧文?萧短篇小说代表作。两篇小说虽然创作的时代不同,但都以精简有力的文字,讲述了一个深刻的故事。前者质疑了传统的婚姻,使原来处于男性中心社会视角盲区的现实得以呈现在读者的眼前,挑战了男性至上主义文学中的妇女形象;后者则聚焦于男性对女性身体美的欣赏,折射出男性对肉体的专注和对女性精神需求的漠视。两部作品都反映了传统婚姻对女性的压抑,表达了对女性作为传统的“家庭天使”的角色的怀疑和否定。

The Story of An Hour is a classic of the 19th century American woman writer Kate Chopin＇s short stories, whileThe Girls in Their Summer Dresses is a masterpiece by Irwin Shaw, a 20th century American writer. Though they were created in different eras, both relate a significant story with a terse and vigorous style. By raising a query on women＇s role in the traditional marriage, the former reveals a reality that is in the blind spot of the androcentric society. By focusing with men＇s preoccupation on women＇s physical beauty, the latter reflects the carnal nature of men＇s love and their disregard for women＇s spiritual needs. The Two stories both give voice to the repression of the traditional marriage on women, as well as the authors＇negation against the＂ Home Angel＂ image of women in the traditional sexist literature.