Abstract The Secret Garden is the masterpiece of Frances Hodgson Burnett, and a classic children’s literature well-selling for hundreds of years. Burnett, a famous writer of children’s literature in the English world, was born in England and then moved to Tennessee in 1865. For the half century, her works are always the necessity for children in American and English families to cultivate their tastes. Almost in every works of Burnett, there is an atmosphere of beauty and kindness, with the glory of human nature.42273
According to the theme of growth, this thesis aims to analyze the huge changes of Mary after she came to Yorkshire from India. She found the difference between the manor and before, leading to her epiphany of growth. Through the help of guides in her way to maturity, she finished her metamorphosis from the rebirth of the garden due to her utmost care. These events are all important rituals through her growing path. At the same time, the thesis will deeply analyze the gradual female awakening of Mary in her way of growth, to feel about her redemption of herself and others. Still, it will further conclude the characteristics of the growing novels, bringing about the enlightment and education meaning for the children’s literature.
Key Words: The Secret Garden Frances Hodgson Burnett epiphany growth
摘要《秘密花园》是弗朗西斯·霍奇森·伯内特夫人最负盛名的作品,更是近百年来畅销不衰的经典儿童小说。伯内特是英语世界家喻户晓的儿童文学作家,生于英国曼彻斯特市,1865年随全家移民美国田纳西州。半个多世纪来,她的作品一直是英美家庭为子女陶冶情操的必备文学读物。几乎在弗朗西丝·霍奇森·伯内特所有的书中,自始至终都萦绕着一种美好的、善良的氛围,散发着人性的光辉。
本文旨在从成长主题入手,分析女主角玛丽从印度来到英国约克郡之后的一系列巨大变化。从她体验到庄园与之前生活的不同,进而引发了对成长的顿悟,再到其成长过程中的引路人所带给她的帮助,最后在她悉心照料下的花园的重生象征了玛丽自己的完全蜕变,是她成长的重要仪式。同时,深入分析其在成长过程中,女性自我意识的逐步觉醒,感受她的救赎同时也是自我救赎的道路。继而,进一步总结阐述成长小说的特点,分析其作为儿童文学所带来的启蒙和教育意义。
毕业论文关键词:秘密花园 弗朗西斯·霍奇森·伯内特 顿悟 成长
Contents
Abstract i
摘 要 ii
Contents iii
Introduction 1
Chapter One The Epiphany of Growth 5
1.1 Life in India 5
1.2 Experience of “the first times” 7
1.3 Self-Discovery 8
Chapter Two The Guides of Growth 11
2.1 Dickon 11
2.2 Martha 12
2.3 Susan Sowerby 13
Chapter Three The Comprehensive Growth 15
3.1 The Rebirth of the Garden 15
3.1.1 In Winter: A Dead Garden 15
3.1.2 In Spring: A Growing Garden 16
3.1.3 In Summer: A Vigorous Garden 17
3.1.4 In Autumn: A Fruitful Garden