The Binary Structure In Chateaubriand Novellas

Chateaubriand,the pioneer of the 19th century French Romanticism,and his compositions had a comprehensive impact on French Literature and the European Romantic Movement.As Chateaubriand's "Les Natchez Trilogy",Adala,Rene and Les Natchez were not only the masterpieces of his novellas,but also the models of Romantic Literature.Adala created a precedent for Romantic Literature,Rene shaped a typical figure of "the infant of the century" in Romantic Literature,and Les Natchez was praised by its epic style.The publication of these three novels laid the irreplaceable status for Chateaubriand in the history of French Literature.Starting with Chateaubriand's novellas,this dissertation makes attempt to analyze the characteristics in this "Les Natchez Trilogy" from the perspective of Structuralism Binary Opposition,and further expresses that the binary structure in these three novellas not only reflects the inheritance and development of Romantic Literature on Binary Opposition,but also expresses Chateaubriand's perplexity in the turn of the century.This dissertation is composed of three parts,the first is the introduction,briefly introduces the basis of questions,the Chateaubriand research status at home and abroad,the meaning of the topic and the concept of binary opposition.The second part is the main part,which is divided into the following three chapters:Chapter One,Binary Oppositions in the theme.This chapter mainly analyzes the binary oppositions in the theme of "Les Natchez Trilogy",and it includes three aspects:First,in the view of cultural conflict,"Les Natchez Trilogy" describes the conflict between European urban culture and North American tribal culture,which is mainly manifested in the binary opposition between material culture and spiritual culture.Second,in the view of religious belief,"Les Natchez Trilogy" is filled with a strong religious atmosphere,showing the binary oppositions about good and evil,the faith of God and the blasphemy of the God.Third,in the view of love,"Les Natchez Trilogy"describes a series of tragic love stories,which include the gains and losses,injury and victimization.Chapter Two,Binary Oppositions in the character.This chapter mainly focuses on the three heroes in "Les Natchez Trilogy",and it takes the approach of binary oppositions to analyze the characteristics,including Adala's soul and body,Rene's indifferent and passionate,and Shaktas's civilized and barbarous.Chapter Three,A Deep Perspective on the Binary Oppositions in "Les Natchez Trilogy".This part mainly analyzes the reason of Binary Oppositions in Chateaubriand's novellas,including two aspects:First,this binary structure reflects the inheritance and development of Romantic Literature on Binary Opposition;Second,it reflects Chateaubriand's perplexity in the turn of the century.Finally,about the conclusion part,it further pointed out the main content that although Chateaubriand's novellas show a series of binary oppositions,but the purpose is not emphasize the absolute opposition.Chateaubriand wants to establish a harmonious relationship,from binary opposition to multiple coexistence.