Representation Of Formal Aesthetics In Susan Sontag's Novels

Susan Sontag(1933-2004)is one of the most controversial writers and critics of the contemporary West.Her view of formal aesthetics proposed in the 1960 s has greatly broadened the vision of artistic development then and it still has profound contemporary impact.This thesis aims to study Susan Sontag's formal aesthetics representation in the three sample novels,namely,The Benefactor(1963),The Volcano Lovers(1999)and In America(2000).Focusing upon Susan Sontag's views on “Against Interpretation”and “New Sensibility”,the thesis analyzes their reflection in novels from such perspectives as narrator,story structure,textual form,focalization,time and space.On a basis of the analysis of the representation of formal aesthetics in Susan Sontag's novels,this thesis points out that art becomes artistic on account of certain expressiveness and appeal defined by distinct individuality.At the same time,the aesthetic subject should also have a diversified instantaneous sensibility.The conventional content supremacy in its proper sense obviously can't live up to the development of art.In fact,the development of art calls for the abandonment of destructive interpretation including over-interpretation and simplistic interpretation resulting from content supremacy.Art needs real and direct perceptual experience in seeking formal aesthetics as well.As an aesthetic subject,the public is expected to take the initiative to feel and embrace art with a more open mind.