《简·爱》的现世性及帝国叙事

Worldliness in Jane Eyre and Imperial Narrative

赛义德提出文本的现世性理论,文本与其所处的历史背景之间存在着至关重要的联系,与社会生活密切相关。借助赛义德的现世性理论解读《简·爱》的帝国文本,勃朗特赋予罗切斯特、圣约翰对外拓展的激情来象征大英帝国海外扩张的雄心。勃朗特的帝国偏见使她对来自英国殖民地的女人伯莎进行了非人化的处理。文本中帝国叙事的现世性生动说明了帝国主义的广泛性与渗透性。

Said puts forward worldliness theory of the text. That is,the text is closely connected with the historical background and social life. With the help of Said＇s worldliness theory,Jane Eyre is interpreted as an imperial text.Bronte lets Rochester and St. John have the passion for outward extension to symbolize overseas expansion ambition of the British Empire. Bronte＇s imperial bias makes her dehumanize Bertha who comes from the British colony. The imperial narrative vividly illustrates the extensiveness and penetration of the imperialism.