从存在主义焦虑到身份意识的转型——从《恐怖分子》看约翰·厄普代克创作主题的时代顺应

From Existential Angst to Identity Consciousness:John Updike’ Conformity to Time in Terrorist

进入21世纪,身份政治逐渐成为美国文化极为重要的影响因素,而多年来身为主流文学的代表人物的著名作家约翰·厄普代克在其生命的后期面临了巨大的转型压力。为了顺应这一时代趋势,厄普代克在坚持原有创作风格的前提下,在新世纪的一系列作品中对包括女性生存在内的新主题、新视角进行了不断探索。然而因变化的力度不够,他的这些努力并未收到很好的效果。而小说《恐怖分子》(2006)一改以往作品中对中产阶级生存状况的描述,转而侧重对美国国内少数民族所面临的社会问题、身份危机,以及少数民族贫困化与恐怖主义之间的关系进行了探索。该书因此成为厄普代克转型努力的一个成功体现,而且也使其作品更加多样化。

In the 21st century, identity politics has become a very important determining factor in American culture. As a long-time representative of American mainstream literature, the renowned American author John Updike underwent great pressure to adapt to this change in his later years. And in order to follow this trend of time, Updike explored quite extensively themes and perspectives including women’s existence, while retaining his creative style. However, these efforts have not been well received due to their limitations. Nevertheless, Terrorist(2006) indicates a shift from his traditional theme of the middle class, focusing on revealing the social problems and identity crisis faced and experienced by ethnic minorities, and the relationship between the poverty of ethnic minorities and terrorism. It can be regarded as a successful demonstration of these transformational attempts.