《华尔特·密蒂的隐秘生活》中前景化的功能分析

The Theory of Foregrounding and Its Functions in The Secret Life of Walt Mitty

该文研究前景化理论在分析小说文体特征方面的应用。通过对于詹姆斯·瑟伯小说《华尔特·密蒂的隐秘生活》这一文本进行分析,综合从质的偏离和量的偏离综合分析小说文本中的前景化现象;同时通过分析证明小说中的前景化使用达到了以下三方面功能:虚实对照,巧妙结合梦境与现实,夸张幽默效果的实现。可见,瑟伯借助前景化的语言手段有效地表达和深化了主题,勾画出一个游走在英雄与懦夫,绚丽的梦幻与沉闷的现实之间的形象。

This paper aims to make a study of the theory of foregrounding and its application to the novel's stylistic analysis. Through analysis on qualitative foregrounding and quantitative foregrounding of The Secret Life of Walt Mitty, the author argues that the foregrounding is far more a functional notion than a concrete linguistic device and it fulfills three functions in this novel: contrast reality with fantasy, bridge and link the two different worlds, achieve rhetorical function of humor and hyperbole. By the means of functions of foregrounding, James Thurber portrays a classic character Mitty, an ordinary person who keeps vacillating between hero and coward, dream and fantasy.