成则王,败则寇——论《幸运的吉姆》中吉姆性格缺陷及其社会成因

Victor Becomes King Whereas Loser Becomes Bandit——On Jim's Character Flaws and Social Causes in Lucky Jim

在综述有关《幸运的吉姆》的权威观点的基础上,归纳出主人公吉姆性格缺陷的表现形式,进而分析了其社会成因。首先是二战后的时代转型,英国社会从战后动荡不安的衰落帝国转型到所谓的福利国家和富裕社会;其次是文化教育的改革举措,尤其是巴特勒教育法案的出台给中下层青年提供了前所未有的受教育机会;最后是森严的阶级壁垒与社会阶层的分化并存,平民出身的文化青年难以融入中上层社会,同时由精英阶层主宰的社会逐渐变为由工商业资本家主宰的社会。从分析中可以看出金斯利.艾米斯对于二战后的英国社会关注之深切。

Based on literary review on authoritative comments on Lucky Jim, this paper summarizes the forms of Jim＇s character flaws and then analyses their social causes： postwar era transformation during which British society transformed from postwar declining empire to a nation of benefit with superficial prosperity; reform in culture and education, especially Butler education act, which offered unprecedented chance for the younger generation from the middle and lower classes to receive education; co-existence of class barrier and division of social classes. The above analysis displays Kingsley Amis＇ deep concern on British society after World War II.