《老无所依》的文学伦理学解读

An Ethical Literary Interpretation of No Country for Old Men

科马克·麦卡锡在其小说《老无所依》中描述了因伦理体系缺失、丛林法则盛行而造成伦理混乱的社会景象,对小人物莫斯的悲剧描写表现出麦卡锡对西方社会盛行的功利主义价值观的批判态度,而通过叙述老警长贝尔对精神世界的探索又表达了道德传承、美德回归的伦理理想。小说的题目源自叶芝的诗歌,而小说所表达的伦理思想也深受以叶芝为代表的英国现代主义诗歌及戏剧的影响,表现出对现代社会伦理状况的担忧及对传统美德回归的向往。

Cormac McCarthy describes the ethical chaos caused by the lack of ethical systems and the prevalence of the law of jungle in No Country for Old Men.Through the tragedy of the little character Moss,McCarthy expresses his moral critique of the utilitarian values prevailing in the Western society.By narrating the old sheriff,Bell's spiritual exploration,McCarthy conveys the ethical ideal of moral inheritance and return of virtue.The novel title No Country for Old Men originates from Yeats'poem,but the ethical thoughts expressed in the novel are also deeply influenced by British modernist poetry and drama represented by Yeats,showing concern about the ethical status of modern society and the yearning for the return of traditional virtues.