美国文学中清教思想地位的嬗变

The Decline of Puritanism in American Literature

美国文学自发轫之初就烙下清教思想的印记。早在殖民时期,美国人对清教思想极其推崇、顶礼膜拜,而后来,清教思想在文学中的地位却日渐动摇,尤其是到了20世纪初期,清教思想曾一度沦为知识青年怀疑的对象,甚至是受攻击的靶子。这一变化是美国历史发展的必然,也是美国文学与文化逐渐成熟并形成相对独立体系的一个重要标志。

Throughout the history of American literature, there was a trend of Puritanism being on the decline, and Puritan thoughts were even questioned and attacked by some young writers in the early decades of the 20th century. This change is historically inevitable and virtually symbolic of increasingly independent American literature and culture.