“门”里的身份政治:论福克纳作品中的阈境嬗变

Identity Politics in “Doors”: Liminal Transmutation in Faulkner’s Fiction

作为呈现故事情节和深化主题的重要手段,“门”这一阈限空间也是文学钟爱的人物身份建构途径,福克纳笔下形制各异的门在表征阈限人物的伦理、性别和阶级身份嬗变方面卓有成效。南方的大宅豪门既见证了巴耶德单挑仇敌的伦理侠义,也倾诉着康普生兄妹的伦理沉沦;厨房之门既展现了迪尔西平凡真挚的女性关爱,也经历了乔的男性气概的覆灭;天真与经验之门既是成长与顿悟的必经之路,又造就了萨德本与沃许间难以弥合的阶级鸿沟。从前后之别到开合之分,门的伦理、性别和阶级本质主义让天真者遵从其秩序,让顿悟者思想跃迁,在个人身份嬗变中展现独特的阈限空间文化、政治和美学。

As an important means to present plots and sublimate themes,the liminal space of doors is also a favored avenue in literature for constructing character identities.In Faulkner’s works,the diverse shapes and forms of doors effectively symbolize the ethical,gender,and class transmutation of the liminal personae.The grand mansion doors witness Bayard’s chivalrous ethics in confronting adversaries,while also reflecting the ethical degradation of the Compson siblings.The kitchen doors showcase Dilsey’s sincere feminine care and Joe’s misadventure of masculinity identity.And the doors of innocence and experience serve as pathways for maturity and epiphany,yet also accentuate the unbridgeable class chasm between Sutpen and Wash.From the distinction between front and back doors to the difference of opening and closing them,the ethical,gender,and class essentialism of doors subjugate the innocent to their order and prompt enlightenment for the emphatic,which demonstrates unique cultural,political,and esthetical qualities in the liminal space.