From "I-It" To "I-Thou" -A Study Of The Known World From The Perspective Of Relation Philosophy

As an eminent contemporary African-American writer,Edward P.Jones(1950-)composes his best known work The Known World in less than three months,which wins the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the 2005 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.In this book,Jones brings to light an oft-neglected fact that there are free blacks who own black slaves in the antebellum South in American history.Along with the main storyline,i.e.the building and crumbling of the plantation of a black man named Henry,all characters and their stories are unfolding into view.And the key point to thread the stories of different figures is the relationships among them.Therefore,it is worth our attention to study the relationships revealed in this novel.Martin Buber's relation philosophy provides us a possibility to appreciate the relationships exposed in The Known World.According to Martin Buber,the world is twofold to man,i.e.the world of "It" and the world of "Thou",because man's attitude is twofold.In accordance,a man is either in "I-It" relationship or "I-Thou" relationship.In "I-It" relationship,"I" centers itself and considers the being in the present as a separate object which "I" uses or experiences.By contrast,in "I-Thou" relationship,both "I" and "Thou" encounter one another in their authentic existence.There is no aim,no lust and no anticipation intervening between "I" and "Thou".This thesis includes three parts: introduction,body chapters and conclusion.And the body part consists of three chapters.The first part is a general introduction to Edward Jones and The Known World,the literature review about the novel,the brief introduction to Martin Buber's relation philosophy,and the significance of this thesis.In chapter One,"I-It" relationship and "I-Thou" relationship are analyzed in the aspect of race."I-It" relationship is reflected on objectification and domestication of blacks.It can only bring hate and contradictions between two races.And blacks' cruelty and severity to other blacks are also an expression of "I-It" relationship.However,it only causes conflicts and estrangement among blacks.On the contrary,"I-Thou" relationship which is reflected on the love that surpasses the limits between two races makes people live together peacefully and harmoniously.Chapter Two focuses on the "I-It" relationship and "I-Thou" relationship in the aspect of class.In this chapter,roughly three classes are discussed.They are black slaves,landowners and free blacks."I-It" relationship is represented on separation within a class.This kind of relationship not only breaks the precious friendship,but also makes friends hostile to each other,which leads to property damage and casualties.However,combination between people within a class and from different classes demonstrates the establishment of "I-Thou" relationship.It sublimates friendship,inspires love among people and furthers the spread of love.Chapter Three explores "I-It" relationship and "I-Thou" relationship in the aspect of gender."I-It" relationship is first exposed on disregard between white couples.However,it not only makes one suffer loneliness,but also deprives family of sweetness and warmth.Moreover,"I-It" relationship between black couples leads to infidelity and family violence.What's worse,it might make one ruthless to murder his/her spouse for his/her benefit."I-Thou" relationship is represented by love between men and women.Love makes one a better man.It is love that fills gaps among people and bonds people together.It is because of love that people make sacrifices.And love makes one's life meaningful.The last part is conclusion.It is "I-It" relationship that causes tragedies.It can only brings about hate,harms,conflicts,contradictions,infidelity,war and death.On the contrary,"I-Thou" relationship fills gaps among people with love."I-Thou" relationship makes people live peacefully and harmoniously.What it brings about is love and care,which makes it possible for people to have a better life.