《伙计》中弗兰克的伦理选择

Frank's Ethical Selection:An Analysis of The Assistant from the Perspective of Ethical Literary Criticism

小说《伙计》中弗兰克由恶到善的转变是一次伦理选择的过程。这一过程中弗兰克行为的反复体现出理性意志与非理性意志之间的冲突。在非理性意志的作用下,弗兰克内心的欲望失去了理性的控制,使他不断做出错误的选择。非理性意志成为弗兰克完成伦理选择的主要障碍之一。弗兰克伦理选择过程中的另一个主要障碍是美国社会中并存着两种相互冲突的伦理规则即传统伦理规则和资本主义商业伦理。两者间冲突引发的伦理秩序和伦理身份的混乱导致弗兰克陷入伦理困境,难以完成自己的伦理选择。在莫里斯和海伦言传身教以及文学作品的教诲下,弗兰克最终完成了自己的伦理选择。马拉默德用弗兰克的伦理选择为读者树立了一个真实可信的榜样,引导着人们完成自己的伦理选择。

Frank＇s transformation from a criminal to a decent member of the society can be regarded as the process of ethical selection. Frank＇s changeable behaviors represent the conflict between the rational will and irrational will in Frank＇s mind. As his desire overwhelms the rationality, Frank fails to make his ethical selection. The irrational will is one of the major obstacles for Frank＇s ethical selection. Frank＇s failure in ethical selection partly results from the two opposing concepts of ethics in American society, which causes the confusion of ethical order and identity and finally Frank＇s ethical dilemma. Frank finally complets his ethical selection in which literature as well as Morris＇ and Helen＇s moral teaching plays an important role. Utilizing the case of Frank＇s transformation, Malamud sets Frank a credible example of ethical selection to the readers.