《雨王汉德森》的宗教救赎

The Religious Atonement of Henderson the Rain King

运用基尔凯戈尔的宗教存在主义解读《雨王汉德森》的人物塑造、结构和情节。在人物塑造上,汉德森的内心体验再现了该哲学个体存在的定义;在结构上,汉德森在美国和非洲的三段生活经历象征了该哲学所描述的美学的、伦理的和宗教的三种生活方式;在情节上,汉德森顺应内心"我要"的呼唤远赴非洲探寻"爱"的真谛,体现了基尔凯戈尔宗教存在主义的精髓。汉德森的个人追求实乃贝娄为全人类设计的宗教救赎之路。

This paper studies the characterization, structure and plot of Henderson the Rain King from the angle of Christian existentialism proposed by Soren Kierkegaard. In characterization, the inner life of Henderson epitomizes the definition of individual existence in Christian existentialism. In structure, Henderson＇ s three life experiences in America and Africa symbolize the three ways or stages of life, that is, the aesthetic, the ethical and the religious. In plot, following his inner voice of ＂I want＂, Henderson＇ s journey from America to Africa, especially his final choice for ＂love＂, practices what Christian existentialism upholds. In conclusion, Henderson＇ s individual pursuit for life truth actually stands for the religious atonement designed by Saul Bellow for all human beings.