Capitalists and Cannibals: The Narration of Hunger in The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter

doi:10.12002/j.bisu.367

Abstract

Abstract:

Employing the significant Marxian idea that capitalism is analogous to cannibalism as the critical perspective, and integrating the social background and personal experiences of the writer, this essay makes an in-depth analysis of the culinary discourse in Carson McCullers’ first novel, The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter. This paper argues that the work was acclaimed as “a proletarian novel,” faithfully reflecting the social conditions of American South in the era of the Great Depression, mainly because of its rich, vivid and compassionate narratives surrounding hunger, eating and drinking. By portraying the bodily hunger and spiritual isolation of the poor whites, African Americans and the mute, McCullers vehemently attacks the systems of capitalism and racial segregation, both of which devour humanity. She aims to call upon the starving people to unite and fight for the realization of equal access to food, which should be enjoyed by every citizen.

Keywords: Carson McCullers; hunger; capitalism; cannibalism; Marxism

摘要：

本文以马克思主义理论中有关资本主义与食人主义类比的重要论述为视角,结合作者所处的时代背景及其生平,深入分析了卡森·麦卡勒斯的第一部长篇小说《心是孤独的猎手》中的饮食话语。本文认为,该作品之所以被称为一部“真实反映”大萧条时期美国南方社会状况的“无产阶级小说”,主要是因为它蕴含着丰富细腻、引发共情的饥饿叙事和吃喝描写。通过刻画穷白人、非裔美国人和聋哑人的身体饥饿和精神隔绝的状况,麦卡勒斯强烈地批判了“嗜食人性”的资本主义制度及与之交织在一起的种族隔离制度,进而号召忍饥挨饿者联合起来,为真正实现每个公民都平等享有食物权而抗争。

关键词: 卡森·麦卡勒斯, 饥饿, 资本主义, 食人主义, 马克思主义

CLC Number:

I106.4

Xiao Mingwen. Capitalists and Cannibals: The Narration of Hunger in The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter[J]. Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2021, 43(6): 94-107.

肖明文. 资本家与食人者：《心是孤独的猎手》中的饥饿叙事[J]. 北京第二外国语学院学报, 2021, 43(6): 94-107.

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