The Combination Of Apollonian And Dionysian Spirit ——An Analysis Of Nietzsche’s Superman In Small World

David Lodge is a famous English novelist and literary theorist since the 20 th century.His profound researches and abundant works in literary theory have affected his novels.Small world is the most famous work of Lodge’s “Campus Novel”.Through the description of intellectuals’ attitude,values and seminar experience,it vividly presents the current situation of contemporary intellectuals.The novel is featured with irony,which is the basis for Lodge to put forward his ideal image of intellectuals.Nietzsche enrolled in extensive criticism and discussion on religion,morality,philosophy and other fields,in which “Superman” is the ultimate goal of human.Superman is a combination of “robust life” and “graceful soul”,which resonates with the thought of Apollonian and Dionysus spirit to a certain extent.Based on the research at home and abroad,taking Small World as the sample,the thesis discusses the dual characteristics of Apollonian and Dionysian spirit of Superman.The intellectuals in the novel are potential Superman subjects with various characteristics.Intellectuals take Apollonian spirit as the guiding principle of daily life,and they recognize that the body as the physical existence is the basis of everything;possess good speaking and thinking skills to generate and preach ideas;guided by hope and pursuit,are able to bear physical and spiritual suffering;shoulder the responsibility of self construction.Intellectuals regard Dionysian spirit as the eternal spiritual pursuit,who take “ecstasy” as the ideal spiritual state to destroy oldness and create newness.Oldness refers to the traditional religious norms and gender stereotype,while newness refers to the new direction of future and the new balance of personal inner state.The words and deeds of intellectuals in the novel show the disadvantages of the academic field,which we should take warning and constantly reflect.Nothing is absolute.Intellectuals also show the spirit of constantly self realizing and surpassing,which is also worthy of our reference.