自我·职责·自由——《天黑前的夏天》的选择之旅

Self,Duty and Freedom:The Journey of Choice in The Summer Before the Dark

从自我的丧失、职责与自由的失衡、选择之旅的终焉等方面探讨《天黑前的夏天》的选择之旅。提出长久以来一直扮演妻子、母亲、女性等社会角色的主人公凯特深陷职责的泥沼,失去了自我,而一次现实与梦境交错之间的夏日之旅成为了她实现自我救赎的契机。认为在旅途中所做的一系列海豹之梦的指引之下,凯特经受了来自象征职责的杰弗里的考验,正视了与代表自由的玛丽之间的关系,通过与自己的另一个化身莫琳的相互交流,做出了既不逃避职责,也不压抑自我的选择,在衰老与死亡来临之前获得了重生。

This paper discusses the journey of choice in The Summer Before the Dark by analysing the loss of Kate＇s Self,the imbalance between duty and freedom as well as the journey＇s final phase. Overburdened with the social roles like wife,mother and woman,Kate takes the journey both in reality and dream as a redemption for her lost self. Under the guidance of a series of seal dreams,Kate stands the test from Jeffrey,the symbol of duty,and admits her relationship with Mary,the symbol of freedom. By communicating with Maureen,her doppelganger,Kate achieves rebirth before ageing and death by choosing neither to escape from the duty nor to supress her Self.