This paper demonstrates how much the forest was used by medieval writers as a symbolic space where critical events take place deeply affecting their protagonists. The forest motif can be found in the works of St. Augu...This paper demonstrates how much the forest was used by medieval writers as a symbolic space where critical events take place deeply affecting their protagonists. The forest motif can be found in the works of St. Augustine as well as in Dante＇s Divina Commedia （ca. 1308-1321）, and then in a plethora of other texts. Here the author examines more closely the symbolic meaning of the forest as a mysterious, dangerous, yet also spiritual location in Wolfram von Eschenbach＇s Titurel （ca. 1220） and then in two 15th-century prose novels： Thtiring von Ringoltingen＇s Melusine （1456） and the anonymous Fortunatus （1509）. Each time we recognize how much the poets placed their central figures one in the forest where their life takes a major turn. Recognizing this intriguing function of the forest as a metaphor and symbol, we can employ the modern interest in and fascination with the forest as a refuge from the destruction of the natural environment through modem civilization as segue to attract students to the study of medieval literature once again.展开更多
The Awakening was Kate Chopin＇s masterpiece, describing a wealthy businessman＇s wife--Edna＇s confusion, awakening, pursuit, and suffocation of self-awareness in the South of America in the late 19th century. With t...The Awakening was Kate Chopin＇s masterpiece, describing a wealthy businessman＇s wife--Edna＇s confusion, awakening, pursuit, and suffocation of self-awareness in the South of America in the late 19th century. With the method of close reading in new criticism, this paper reinterprets Edna＇s awakening process. Her awakening process is accompanied by the symbolic image of ＂bird＂, representing women＇s situation in the patriarchal society and carrying Edna＇s hope for freedom, love, and self-realization. The application of bird＇s symbolic image reflects Kate Chopin＇s compassion for women in the patriarchal society, making the novel more appealing with its profound humanitarian connotations.展开更多
文摘This paper demonstrates how much the forest was used by medieval writers as a symbolic space where critical events take place deeply affecting their protagonists. The forest motif can be found in the works of St. Augustine as well as in Dante＇s Divina Commedia （ca. 1308-1321）, and then in a plethora of other texts. Here the author examines more closely the symbolic meaning of the forest as a mysterious, dangerous, yet also spiritual location in Wolfram von Eschenbach＇s Titurel （ca. 1220） and then in two 15th-century prose novels： Thtiring von Ringoltingen＇s Melusine （1456） and the anonymous Fortunatus （1509）. Each time we recognize how much the poets placed their central figures one in the forest where their life takes a major turn. Recognizing this intriguing function of the forest as a metaphor and symbol, we can employ the modern interest in and fascination with the forest as a refuge from the destruction of the natural environment through modem civilization as segue to attract students to the study of medieval literature once again.
文摘The Awakening was Kate Chopin＇s masterpiece, describing a wealthy businessman＇s wife--Edna＇s confusion, awakening, pursuit, and suffocation of self-awareness in the South of America in the late 19th century. With the method of close reading in new criticism, this paper reinterprets Edna＇s awakening process. Her awakening process is accompanied by the symbolic image of ＂bird＂, representing women＇s situation in the patriarchal society and carrying Edna＇s hope for freedom, love, and self-realization. The application of bird＇s symbolic image reflects Kate Chopin＇s compassion for women in the patriarchal society, making the novel more appealing with its profound humanitarian connotations.
