A New Historical Study Of The Noise Of Time

Julian Barnes is one of the most important members in English literature today.He is labelled as a postmodern writer because of the theme of history and self-identity embodied in his works.Through the protagonist's predicament and choices under great pressure of Power,Julian Barnes' s The Noise of Time highlights three critical moments in Dmitri Shostakovich's life to portray an artist in a totalitarian society,by which Barnes shows readers the multiple facets of history that has been concealed in totalitarian society.This thesis employs the relevant theories of New Historicism initiated in early 1980 s to explore the theme of history of The Noise of Time.Firstly,this thesis mainly focuses on the relations between history and text to explore the history reproduced by Barnes in the text.Barnes makes historical figure participate in the construction of the text and reproduces a new period history and a new historical figure.Secondly,the thesis mainly focuses on the art skills of reproducing history by Barnes.Through unique art skills,Barnes strengthens the similarity between the fictional world and the real external world,underlines the richness and multi-facets of history reproduced in the novel,and deepens the theme that texts reflect the multi-facets of history;thus,the internal unity of form and theme is realized.The author thinks that,under the influence of his view of history,the history described by Barnes in The Noise of Time always gives readers a near-real feeling;besides,the purpose of reproducing history by Barnes is to illustrate his view of history clearly and explore the multi-factes of history to readers.So the thesis focuses on Barnes' s view of history in The Noise of Time at last.It is hard to trace historical data because of the influence of Power factor,memory,imagination and other factors.They make history more uncertain.Therefore,Barnes believes historical facts which are excavated are multidimensional and real history can be obtained within the critical but positive attitudes toward complex history.Through the analysis of history reproduced in The Noise of Time and the art skills of reproducing history,readers can clearly understand the internal unity between the multi-faceted history and the form of the novel.The history reproduced in the novel is the history of small potatoes erased by the authority.Besides,the analysis of Barnes' s view of history enables readers to stride over the fictional history trap and soberly realize the rich diversity of history.Barnes warns readers: objective history data are hard to find,but readers should view history in positive and rational manners while criticizing them.Only in this way,can we ensure that history does not change in the noise of time.People could also approach the historical truth.Lastly,this thesis provides a new perspective on the interpretation of The Noise of Time,which helpsreaders understand the text better.