From Competition To Harmony

Saul Bellow (1915-2005) is considered as one of the most outstanding American writers. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature"for the human understanding and subtle analysis of contemporary culture that are combined in his work"in 1976. Herzog is one of the most important novels of Bellow's. In Herzog, through the protagonist Herzog's meditations in his mental turmoil and a large number of unsent letters, Bellow reveals the complex power relations between different characters. This thesis studies power relations in interpersonal relations in Herzog in the light of Foucault's theory of power, arguing that the change of the power relations between the major characters in the novel from competition and domination to harmony shows that Bellow values productive power and advocates equal and harmonious human relations.The thesis consists of three parts. The first part is a brief introduction to Bellow and his works, the studies of Herzog at home and abroad, the problem to be studied and the theory to be adopted in the thesis, and the argument and the layout of the thesis. The second part is the body part of the thesis, consisting of three chapters. Chapter One is a detailed analysis of the repressive power relations between the major characters in the novel embodied in the economic and academic competitions between Madeleine and Herzog, the economic competition between Daisy and Herzog, and the emotional competition between Madeleine and Ramona. Chapter Two mainly examines the domination of Herzog by two female characters, Madeleine and Ramona, and Herzog's resistance in four aspects: emotional, economic, academic and sexual. Chapter Three explores the productive power relations embodied in the harmonious relationships between Madeleine and Gersbach, Herzog and Ramona, Herzog and his mother and children. The third part is the concluding part of the thesis, summarizing the main ideas of the thesis and restates Bellow's view of power, i.e. power should function to serve human equality and harmony.