Quest For The Real —Alacanian Reading Of Thomas Pynchon's V

Thomas Pynchon is one of the most brilliant and influential figures in American literature history that has made great contribution to the development of American postmodern fiction. He is best known for his unique technique in fiction creation that introduced the entropy theory of physics to the field fiction, and applies it in his fiction to describe the living state of human being.V as his first novel has greatly shaken the world with its egregious achievement in depicting the profound psychological states of the character in this novel which with "quest" at its center. Since the publication of V, the theme of "quest" has been hotly discussed by critics both in the U.S. and critics from other countries. In the novel, the quests of some major characters form the frame of the novel, especially represented by the quest of Herbert Stencil, Hugh Godolphin, Signor Mantissa, and also many other minor characters such as Esther has unique features. Besides the quest which is masterstroke of this novel, there are other characters cannot be ignored, for they has functioned greatly in depicting the characters whose major feature is quest.This thesis tries to apply the psychoanalysis of Jacques Lacan to analyze the major theme of the novel:quest; tries to apply the Lacanian psychoanalysis theory to excavate the formation of desire of the major characters in the novel; try to analyze the function of the Other, Fantasy, and the Real to the major character's desire, unconscious, and their deeds. Also the postmodern social features can be deliberately studied under the theory of the Symbolic.In the introduction part of this thesis, the information about the author and his major worked would be briefly presented, and the life and academic career of Jacques Lacan would also be briefly introduced. Besides the above information, the psychoanalysis theory, and major terms which would be applied in this thesis would be clearly shown and cover a major part in this part. The last part of introduction would clarify the substance and major idea of this thesis. In the first chapter, the writer would mainly apply the theory of the Symbolic order or the Other in Lacanian psychoanalysis to analyze the formation of the major character's formation of desire.And in the second chapter, the writer would mainly apply fantasy which is one of the most important terms in the Lacanian theory to analyze the function of fantasy in the formation of the major characters desire. And also try to analyze the relationship between fantasy and reality, and clarify the essence of the social reality and its embodiment in the novel.In the third chapter, the writer would mainly apply the Real which is viewed as the true object and cause the major characters'quest to discuss the essence of the Real, and clarify its refusal function in the major characters'quest. And clarify its function for the formation of the major characters, desire. And the most important is tried to unveil the mysterious code: "V" which is the object of the quest in the novel.In the part of conclusion, the writer try to make a conclusion about the course of analysis in this thesis, and make certain judgment on the novel, the Lacanian theory, the advantages of applying the Lacanian theory for the analysis of this novel. And last clarify the social value of Lacanian Psychoanalysis.