《坠落的人》中的边缘叙事

Marginal narrative in Don DeLillo′s Falling Man

唐·德里罗代表作《坠落的人》把叙事重点放在讲述经历“9·11”事件普罗大众的个体记忆,以独特的边缘叙事代替宏大叙事,通过边缘叙事带领读者从边缘走向中心。以边缘叙事为视角,从空间的边缘、边缘人的思考以及时间的破碎感与非线性叙事三方面对《坠落的人》进行分析。空间上德里罗有意使双子塔这一宏大场面缺席,重点描写经历者的生理与心理感受;而妇女、老人、儿童以及经济底层等边缘人物的刻画展现边缘人在反思主流话语中发挥的重要作用;时间上的破碎感和非线性叙事映射了“9·11”事件后人们生活与工作中破碎和凌乱状态。边缘叙事不仅强调了“9·11”事件给大众带来的冲击和无法愈合的创伤,也表现唐·德里罗对人性的真实关注,为读者呈现一种挑战主流叙事、瓦解主流话语、实现文化批评的方式。

Don DeLillo′s famous novel Falling Manfocuses its narration on the memory of individuals experiencing the 9/11attack,replaces the grand narrative with the unique marginal narrative,and leads the readers to go from the edge to the center through marginal narrative.In this paper,Falling Man is analyzed from the perspective of marginal narrative,in accordance with three aspects:the marginality of space,the reflections of marginal men,as well as the fragmentation of time and non-linear narrative.In space,DeLillo omits the grand spectacle of the twin towers purposefully,and focuses on describing the physiological and psychological reaction of characters.The portrait of the marginal characters,such as women,the elderly,children,and underdogs,plays a vital part in reflecting on the mainstream discourse.The fragmentation of time and non-linear narrative reflects the fragmentation and chaos in people′s lives and work after 9/11.The marginal narrative highlights the impact as well as unhealable trauma imposed by the 9/11attack and displays the author′s sincere concern for humanity,presenting readers with a way to challenge mainstream narrative,disintegrate mainstream discourse,and realize cultural criticism.