| Ian Mc Ewan(1948-)occupies a significant position among the classic contemporary British novelists.Atonement was published in 2001,marking Mc Ewan’s first literary release into the new century.The novel,using the protagonist’s voice,writes about the dilemmas facing humanity,and questions the complexities of human nature.Since its publication,Atonement has gained the attention from scholars both at home and abroad.Most research on Atonement has focused on thematic studies,narrative studies and historical studies.Based on ethical literary criticism proposed by Professor Nie Zhenzhao,this thesis explores the protagonist’s growth in Atonement from three aspects: ethical predicament,ethical selection and ethical value,aiming to better illustrate the protagonist’s growth process.The thesis consists of five parts.The introduction briefly introduces Ian Mc Ewan and his Atonement,then reviews the research status both abroad and at home on Atonement,and finally introduces the development and related theoretical idea of ethical literary criticism.Chapter One analyses the ethical predicament Briony is faced with at different stages of her growth,mainly including predicament in family,relationship,and profession.While trapped by the dual ethical predicament in family and relationship in her childhood,Briony lacks the positive guidance of “a guide” in her growth,which results in her lack of ethical consciousness and her falling into ethical chaos with ensuing conflicts and struggles.The change of ethical identity due to her profession leads Briony to new ethical predicament,while the difficulties she faces in different professions put her in an ethical dilemma.Multiple ethical predicaments drive Briony’s growth,prompting her to make different ethical selections,and ethical consciousness is formed in the process.Chapter Two illustrates three important ethical selections the protagonist makes in her life.For the lack of her rational will and with her ethical consciousness not yet formed,Briony,as a child,falsely accuses Robbie under the impetus of animal factors,thus initiating a lifelong journey of atonement.The transformation of the ethical environment and ethical identity accelerates the establishment of Briony’s ethical consciousness,and leads to her epiphany during the course of making ethical selections.As an adult,Briony establishes her ethical identity,and she is able to abide by the social ethical order,stand firm with a rational will when faced with the ethical dilemma brought by her profession,and complete the atonement by reconciling with herself.Chapter Three focuses on the actualization of the protagonist’s self-growth and the ethical implications and reflections brought about by Briony’s growth,both on personal and social levels.On the personal level,Briony completes her self-growth at her old age,achieving a decent social status and harmonious interpersonal relationships,and becomes a person,in the eyes of the public,in line with the social order,but due to practical factors,she fails to fully reconcile with society.On the social level,Briony’s growth is influenced by class and war,and the social environment prompts Briony to reflect on the current state of society and war when she matures.The life changes she suffers during the war also trigger her to memorize and reflect on the history of the war,which conmitantly mirror the serious injustice caused by class in British society at that time.The conclusion summarizes the above three chapters and draws the conclusion of this research.Briony’s growth is affected by family,society,war and other factors,and the ethical environment prompts her to actualize and achieve self-growth in the process of making ethical selections.Briony generates a new thinking about class injustice and history with a mature ethical consciousness,and meanwhile prompts readers to reflect on and remember history.Based on the analysis of Briony’s self-growth process,ethical implications can be generated both for individuals and the society. |
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