启蒙时期美国主流文学中的印第安人形象研究

18世纪,在欧洲启蒙运动,特别是卢梭＂回归自然＂思想的影响下,北美大陆的有识之士开始认真思考科学技术的进步、文明的发展对人类精神生活和思想道德的影响。以克雷夫科尔和贝弗利为代表的一批美国作家通过对印第安人纯洁高尚的品行和健康自由的生存状态的描绘,表达了身处工业文明的人们对印第安古老文化发自内心的赞赏,对回归自然的渴望以及对因过度追求物质利益而导致的道德沦丧和人性异化的担忧,今天读来仍具有警示意义。

On the images of Indians in American mainstream literature during the enlightenment period

In 18th century,under the influence of European Enlightenment Movement,especially,Rousseau＇s idea of＂Returning to the nature＂,the Americans scholars began to think over the influences on human spiritual life and morals exerted by the progress of science,technology and civilization.Through depicting Indian people＇s pure and noble behavior as well as their healthy and free life style,a lot of American writers such as Crevecoeur and Beverley express modern people＇s sincere appreciation of the Indian traditional culture and their desire for returning to the nature as well as their deep concern about the loss of morals and alienation of humanity due to the excessive pursuit of material gains.Their works are quite enlightening till now.