期刊文章分类查询,尽在期刊图书馆
云南师范大学外国语学院 云南 昆明
ABSTRACT：The Da Vinci Code, written by American writer Dan Brown, has aroused widespread concern and strong repercussion in literary circles since it was published. The novel not only has gripping plots and colorful characters, but also displays a wealth of knowledge on science and religion. Its story line, the quest for the Holy Grail, pushes forward the plot development, which highlights the writer’s advocation of reviving female worship and of critique on the Christianity ruled by patriarchy.
KEY WORDS: Feminism, The Da Vinci Code, gender equality
Introduction
The Da Vinci Code, one of the most successful novels of Dan Brown, has much unusual great charm among readers in the world. It caused a cultural sensation when it was published for the first time in 2003. This work exposes some little-known secrets of Christianity by using gripping plots, combines serious religious topics with the writing ways of postmodernist fiction. In addition, Mr. Brown criticizes the disadvantage and oppression on feminism of patriarchy society to make the theme of female worship be hotly debated among scholars and promote the recovery of feminism in the new century. The theme of feminism, a worthy topic, can be helpful and beneficial for the women in the current society and make feministic viewpoint and spirit of actively pursuing their realization of value be rooted in women’s brains.
The perspective of feminism in The Da Vinci Code is closely connected with the developing history of Christianity. Following the steps and explanations of main characters, the readers, especially female readers, would be inspired with the thoughts of feminism so that they can get the courage and belief to escape the historical feudal cycle which is controlled by patriarchy.
The Feminism in The Da Vinci Code
Feminismis a collection of ideologies and movements that share a common goal: to define, establish, and achieveequalpolitical, economic, cultural, personal, and socialrights for women. Therefore, the definition of feminism is composed of two parts. One is the belief in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes and the other is the movement organized on behalf of women’s right and interests.
Dan Brown breaks the mode of conventional suspense novels in the writing of The Da Vinci Code, whose writing rhyme is fast, language is full of wisdom, plots are well-arranged, and story is informative. Thus he describes a philosophy of life with black humor, at the same time, comments interestingly and uniquely on the artists or their classic paintings in the collection of the Louvre by the hero Robert Langdon in the novel.
The Da Vinci Code tells a story of Holy Grail which attracts and leads female and male characters to solving its puzzle. During the process of unlocking the secret of the Grail, Dan Brown shows the evolution of feminism from portraying the characters. Hence, Dan Brown’s thoughts of feminism can be analyzed from the comparison on the characters of heroine, hero and other male villains so as to highlight the end of sacred feminine, the reestablishment of female status, the revival of sacred feminine and the advocation of gender equality.
Because of the arcane status of Holy feminine in the development of religion, Dan Brown shows his perspectives on the harmony of masculine and feminine, balance of women and men, and original female condition in Christianity by unlocking the symbolic meanings of pentacle, hexagram and Holy Grail. The Da Vinci Code mentions the goddess that the orthodox Christianity has never talked about over and over again, and tries to praise the greatness of faith of goddess. The Priory of Sion, a surviving mysterious society on earth, was based in France, and attracted powerful and distinguished members from all over Europe. “The Priory’s membership has included some of history’s most cultured individuals: men like Botticelli, Sir Isaac Newton, Victor Hugo and Leonardo da Vinci.” The so-called Da Vinci code was the theme of goddess that was conveyed in the famous paintings of Priory’s member Da Vinci by an implicit way of metaphors and encodings.
Conclusion
The novel The Da Vinci Code of Dan Brown seems like a developing history of women societal status. Dan Brown’s feminine thoughts can be analyzed systematically by interpreting the symbols, Da Vinci’s world-renowned paintings and characters’ comparison between female and male. As a New Age author, Dan Brown emphasizes the importance of feminine awareness and pursuit of gender equality. Women are the essential and vigorous force in the modern society instead of being considered as vulnerable groups by male chauvinism.
References:
[1]Brown, Dan. 2003. The Da Vinci Code. New York: Random House.
[2]Baigent, Micheal, et.al.. 1982. Holy Blood, Holy Grail. New York: Dalacorte Press.
[3]张岩冰，1998，《女权主义文论》。济南：山东教育出版社。
作者简介：张雯棋，1994年1月生，汉族，籍贯为河北省河间市，云南师范大学外国语言学及应用语言学专业，研究方向为应用语言学，二语习得等。
论文作者:张雯棋
论文发表刊物:《语言文字学》2017年6月
论文发表时间:2017/9/18
标签：云南论文; 语言学论文; 河间市论文; 女权主义论文; 师范大学论文; 汉族论文; 期刊论文; 《语言文字学》2017年6月论文;