身份认同与生存困境:论肖恩·奥凯西的戏剧《犁与星》

Identity Pursuit and Survival Dilemma:on The Plough and the Stars by Sean O'Casey

肖恩·奥凯西是爱尔兰著名剧作家,其作品主要呈现了都柏林底层的生存状态。著名剧作《犁与星》则展示了1916年复活节起义期间都柏林底层租客的生活状况,剧中人物试图诉求性别、社会和国家身份的认同,但由于爱尔兰动荡时期的影响以及人物自身的性格弱点、,致使他们的抗争与追求以失败告终。其身份认同困境既昭示了人类自觉的抗争精神,也标识了人性的弱点与不足,因此具有重要的生存启示和认知意义。

Sean O'Casey was the first Irish playwright of note to write about the Dublin working classes.His play The Plough and the Stars depicts the Dublin tenement life preceding and during the 1916 Easter Rising.Characters in this play try to pursue their gender identity,social identity and national identity.However,due to the turbulent historical period in Ireland and their character weaknesses,the characters are doomed to lose them.The issue of identity dilemma not only demonstrates the spirit of human resistance,but also identifies the weaknesses and deficiencies of human nature.Thus,it has important survival enlightenment and cognitive significance.