阈界理论视角下“典型美国佬”拉尔夫的身份

The Identity of a "Typical American" Ralph in Light of the Liminality Theory

阈界理论包括分离、过渡和融合三个阶段,具有反复性、暂时性和模糊性等特点,运用阈界理论对华裔作家任碧莲的小说《典型的美国佬》中主人公拉尔夫的身份变化进行分析,进而挖掘他身份转变阈界过程中家庭观、家长作风和男尊女卑的心态、传统中国教育的影响以及个人主义膨胀等文化因素的影响。只有在两种文化之间寻求一种平衡才能实现更好的融合。

Liminality Theory based on Gennep＇s threefold structure of rites of passage, divides the liminality period into three parts： a pre-liminal phase （separation） , a liminal phase （transition）, and a post-liminal phase （reineorporation or aggregation）. The whole period is characterized by repetition, temporariness and ambiguity. In light of the theory, this article analyzes the change of identity of the leading character Ralph in Typical America, a representative work of the American Chinese writer Gish Jin. In addition, this article taps into the culture factors affecting the shift of the phases and Ralph＇s identity, including the Idea of being a family, Paternalism, Patriarchal and Male chauvinism, the negative impact of the traditional Chinese education and American Individualism. Finally, this article comes up with a suggestion of how to better cope with the liminal process, that is, to find a balance between Sino-American cultures.