Narrative Structure and Moral Experience the Narrative of Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eyes"

本文分析湯妮莫里森小說「最藍的眼睛」，以顯示敘事結構所蘊含的道德意義。第一部份說明道德經驗所指為何，探討文學和道德的相關性，並追溯近年來倫理批評學派的發展，以及釐清本文所採取的形式主義分析方式，藉此驗證文學批評過程中採用道德論述的合法性。第二部份剖析小說中的不對稱結構如何把讀者引入道德情境中，以體認道德判斷的必要性。論文第三部份指出敘事結構中的對比要素，這些要素強調白人文化的壟斷，並暗示其他道德抉擇的可能性。第四部份分析敘事語氣，顯示敘事者扮演著道德引導人的角色。莫里森不是一名道學家，她的作品也沒有訓道的意味。雖然如此，如果仔細檢視其敘事架構，仍可發現她意圖引導讀者對種族主義進行道德質問。更重要的是，她的故事也暗示一個解決的辦法，即是承認其他種族的存在以及增進彼此的瞭解。

關鍵字

道德經驗；道德；倫理批評學派；敘事結構

並列摘要

This paper analyzes Toni Morrison's novel, ”The Bluest Eyes”, to manifest the moral implications of narrative structure. Part I justifies the adoption of moral discourse in literary criticism by defining moral experience, discussing the connection between literature and morality, tracing the development of ethical criticism, and delineating the formalistic approach. Part II focuses on the asymmetrical structure, which introduces the reader into the moral situation and elicits moral understanding. Part III points out the contrasting elements in the narrative, which highlight the domination of white culture and suggest moral alternatives. Part IV discusses the narrative tone to demonstrate the narrator's role as a moral guide. Morrison's work is not didactic. Nevertheless, close examination of her narrative structure shows that she intends to lead the reader into an ethical interrogation of the problem of racism. Most importantly, her narrative suggests a possible solution to the problem by means of recognition and understanding.

並列關鍵字

moral experience ； morality ； ethical criticism ； narrative structure

國際替代計量

Narrative Structure and Moral Experience the Narrative of Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eyes"

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