Dwelling Narrowness Of The Soul

Jean Rhys is one of the most outstanding novelists in the 20th century. Due to the specialty of both her work and her identity, she becomes the focus of the researchers both at home and abroad. The themes of most of her works are concerned with the existing problems of the marginalized females in the man-dominated world as well as their quest for identity. Wide Sargasso Sea is regarded as the best of all her creations. It wins her the international reputation. Owing to this book, Jean Rhys wins the W. H. Smith Award and she is also adopted as a member of the Royal Society of Literature.Wide Sargasso Sea is the prequel of Jane Eyre. It mainly depicts the story between Edward Rochester and his ex-wife Bertha Mason. In Wide Sargasso Sea, Bertha Mason is renamed to be Antoinette of West Indian origin. In Antoinette'childhood, she survives in the loveless family and the society where hatred and racial discrimination permeate. In her adult life, she is forced to accept the arranged marriage made by her stepfather and stepbrother. Tortured by her coldhearted British husband, she finally is driven to death and becomes the victim of the loveless marriage.This thesis attempts to analyze the ethical and moral ideas in this novel under the guidance of the ethical literary criticism which is illustrated by Professor Nie Zhenzhao and Professor Li Dingqing.The first chapter of the thesis mainly introduces the life experiences of Jean Rhys and her major works, especially her masterpiece Wide Sargasso Sea.The second chapter introduces the present research on Wide Sargasso Sea both at home and abroad. In the meantime, it also displays the significance of the study of the thesis.The third chapter is theoretical rationale of this study. And it makes comparisons and contrasts of several terms.Chapter four explores the survival ethics and the interpersonal ethics in Wide Sargasso Sea from the point view of the relationship between man and society. Some ethical phenomena such as hypocritical morality and hypocritical political ethics in West Indian and British society are exploded in their laws, customs and various social relationships. It shows Jean Rhys's great concern on equality and fairness.Chapter five explores the family ethics and the sex ethics in Wide Sargasso Sea from the point view of the relationship between man and man. It shows the viewpoint of Jean Rhys on the family ethics and the sex ethics through the depicting of the relationship between parents and children as well as the individuals attitude on marriage. These are expressed by the family of Antoinette and the family of Rochester respectively. Jean Rhys complains and condemns the inequality and selfish behavior in family and marriage while praises the mutual understanding and pure love.Chapter six explores Jean Rhys's quest for love, identity, happiness and value from the point view of the relationship between man and himself. The fate and destiny of Antoinette is miserable. Her struggle and fight are smashed by the harsh reality. However, she is so persistent and stubborn that she never ends her pursuit of the light. Firm and unchangeable, she pursues truth, happiness and light lust as the moth flies to the fire. Likewise, Rochester and Daniel who persecute others are also victims of society. They also eagerly pursue their true identity and value. The loss of love and happiness stimulates them to gain love and happiness from the bottom of their heart.Chapter seven is the conclusion part. The thesis concludes that Jean Rhys explores various problems existing in both West Indian society and the British society from the perspective of the ethics. Moreover, she also explores the hypocrisy, selfishness of human nature. She eagerly quests for the equality, fairness, freedom and love. And all these will absolutely inspire and influence the development of the modern China.