奈保尔笔下的命运之轮——《浮生》与《魔种》中的圆形结构及其伦理意义

The wheel of Desting in Naipaul's Works——On the Circular Structure and its Ethical Meaning in his Half a Life and Magic Seeds

借助表现游走于不同地理及文化空间中的人物的生存问题,奈保尔的小说旨在探讨现代人的命运和伦理困境。通过考察《浮生》与《魔种》中"内"与"外"这两个圆形结构,探讨奈保尔对现代人的伦理思考。在人物的"外部空间"这一层面,威利经历了由印度到英国、非洲、柏林,再回到印度,最终定居英国的生活,其人生轨迹构成一个轮回。在人际关系尤其是与女性的关系这一"内部空间"层面,威利经历了从家庭到家庭的回归,体现了获得幸福的不易。可以说,小说中几乎所有人物都在实践"人应该怎样生活"这一根本的伦理问题。

Through representing the survival problem of the characters in different geographical and cultural space, Naipaul＇ s novels aim at exploring the fate of modem people and their ethical dilemma. Based on the study of the ＂inter＂ and ＂outer＂ space in Halfa Life and Magic Seeds, this paper discusses Paul＇ s ethical thinking about modem people. In the ＂outer＂ aspect, Willy experienced his life from India to Britain, Africa, Berlin, then back to＂ India, and finally settled down in Britain. His life track takes the shape of a round. In the ＂inter＂ aspect - - the interpersonal relationship especially the relationship with women, Willy experienced from family back to family, which reflects the difficulty in getting happiness. Almost all characters in the novels, so to speak, are in the practice of the fundamental ethical problem＇- ＂how to live＂.