Abstract John Steinbeck is a significant writer in the 20th century. The Grapes of Wrath – a social critical novel – is one of his best works. Since eco-criticism was introduced into literary study, people began to interpret the book based on ecology. 54052

This thesis will analyze others’ researches to reveal Steinbeck’s ecological ideas from the perspective of eco-criticism. In particular, some parts of the thesis will combine Steinbeck’s ideas with Bible. This betters the understanding of the novel. The thesis will briefly introduce the background and main content of eco-criticism and explore the natural, social and spiritual crises embodied in the book. The natural crises are anthropocentrism and industrialization; the social crises are the capitalistic economy and egoism; and the spiritual crisis is the disillusionment of American dream. Steinbeck reveals these three crises and advocates collectivism and harmonious man-man and man-nature relationships. 

Keywords: John Steinbeck; eco-criticism; ecological Ideas; Bible; The Grapes of Wrath

摘要约翰·斯坦贝克是20世纪重要作家。社会批评小说《愤怒的葡萄》是他最好的作品之一。针对该作品的早期研究主要涉及主题和写作风格。而自从生态批评理论引进文学评论后，人们开始从生态角度解读这本书。

本篇论文将分析他人的研究，用生态批评理论揭示斯坦贝克的生态观。值得一提的是，论文中一些部分把斯坦贝克的思想与《圣经》结合。这有助于对小说的理解。论文简单介绍了生态批评理论的背景和主要内容，探讨该书中体现的自然危机、社会危机以及精神危机。自然危机即人类中心主义思想和工业化；社会危机是资本主义经济以及自我主义；精神危机即美国梦的幻灭。斯坦贝克揭示了这三种危机，提倡集体主义以及和谐的人与人、人与自然的关系。

毕业论文关键词：约翰·斯坦贝克；生态主义批评理论；生态观；《圣经》；《愤怒的葡萄》

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Literature Review 2

3. An Introduction to Eco-criticism 4

4. Steinbeck’s Social Ecological Ideas in The Grapes of Wrath 6

4.1 Opposition to Anthropocentrism 6

4.2 Denouncing the Industrial Civilization 7

4.3 Criticizing Capitalistic Economy 8

4.4 Reprehending Egoism and Advocating Collectivism 10

4.5 Expressing the Disillusionment of American Dream 11

5. Conclusion 13

Works Cited 15

1. Introduction

John Steinbeck (1902-1968) was one of the most important American writers in the 20th century who enjoyed remarkable reputation in American literature. He was elected successively to the America’s National Endowment for the Arts and the American Academy of Arts and Letters. In 1940, he won the Pulitzer Prize for The Grapes of Wrath. In 1962, Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men (1937) helped him win the Nobel Prize for literature for his realistic and imaginative writing, along with his sympathetic humor and keen social perception. Up to now, Steinbeck still boasts a huge number of readers across the world. 

In his Leaves of Grass, Walt Whitman said, “The Americans of all nations at any time upon the earth, have probably the fullest poetical nature” (Whitman, 2007:3). Steinbeck confirmed this saying because he was resolutely concerned with his motherland, especially California’s characteristics and fates. Since his first novel collection The Pastures of Heaven (1932), Steinbeck had evoked, in almost all books, his compatriots’ awareness of the country’s natural environment and habitats. He called out for the disadvantaged by virtue of his pen (Hinds, 2008:17). 论《愤怒的葡萄》中斯坦贝克的生态观:http://www.youerw.com/yingyu/lunwen_58250.html