References 14

1。 Introduction

1。1 Research Background

    William Faulkner, a world famous literary master, is an eminent representative in southern American literature。 In 1950, Faulkner was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his extraordinary achievements in literature。 John Pikoulis (1982) said in The Art of William Faulkner that “Faulkner is。。。the only American novelist apart from Henry James to have produced a sizable number of books for each of which the highest claims can plausibly be advanced。” 。 Harold Bloom (1986) wrote in Introduction to William Faulkner that “by universal consent of critics and common readers, Faulkner now is recognized as the strongest American novelist of this century。” 论文网

    Numerous scholars are studying about William Faulkner’s works。 The researches on him cover many fields, mainly racial discrimination, biblical archetypes, Christian humanism and women’s tragedy。 To some degree, Faulkner’s works are reflection of his era。 He pointed out a future road which is hard but hopeful。 This may be the far-reaching and universal significance of his masterworks。

    William Faulkner wrote many influential books such as As I Lay Dying, Absalom, Absalom!, The Sound and the Fury, which bring him to the peak of his literary career。 What’s more, his insightful understanding towards modern philosophy and the influence of psychology to human forms a unique perspective of cognitive life and accordingly creates a series of new writing techniques。 And as a writer he has a great moral trait for example, Faulkner said: “I believe that human can not only live but also can win。 He is immortal because he has spirit of sympathy, sacrifice and endurance and the duty of writers is to write those things。”(李文俊, 2003:121）That is the reason why numerous scholars are studying this great master’s works。

    Scholars began to study about Faulkner from 1930s。 The Frenchmen were the first who recognize his genius。 French scholars Jean-Paul Sartre and Marlraux highly recommended him as well as Richard Hughes who is a British writer。 Since Faulkner gave lectures in Japan in 1950s, his works were introduced and studied hotly。 In 1960, the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe also began to translate and analyze his thoughts and masterworks。 The American study about Faulkner plays an important role in the whole world。 Fifty years ago, Allen Tate, one of the representatives of the New Criticism, had thought very highly of Faulkner, regarding him as great as William Shakespeare。 And 1997 is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Faulkner as well as a climax of the research on Faulkner。 No matter the quantity or the quality of seminars, monographs and papers have achieved the highest degree。 From this respect, we can find that Faulkner really makes great achievements in Southern American Renaissance。 But America took a long time to comprehend and appreciate his works and recognition of him as one of the country’s major authors。

    In China, although Zhao Jiabi and Ling Changyan had translated Faulkner’s works and commented on him at the early 1930s。 After liberation, nearly seventeen years, the study and translation of Faulkner’s works were only related to political background in China。 The systematical translation and study mainly began at the late 1970s。 From 1980s to now, The Sound and the Fury, A Rose for Emily, As I Lay Dying, Absalom, Absalom! and bear。 have been published。 Scholars at home are mainly focused on the Faulkner himself, his works, the relationship between him and the historical culture of southern American, Faulkner and religion, philosophy and mythology, Faulkner’s view of women, Faulkner’s creating techniques to study Faulkner’s lifetime, creation as well as his thoughts。 Moreover, we can find that the rising research tendency of Faulkner and his books。