關於非人類族群：解析《德古拉》與《莫羅博士島》中人類與非人類的等級制度

Abstract

本論文擬從進化論的角度探討維多利亞時期的文學作品如何挑戰人類中心主義思想。在此框架下，本文主要的研究文本為布拉姆·斯托克（Bram Stoker）的《德拉庫拉》（Dracula ）和H·G·威爾斯（H.G. Wells）的《莫洛博士島》（The Island of Doctor Moreau）。筆者聚焦查爾斯·達爾文（Charles Darwin）的進化論，考察在人類和非人類生物邊界的相互交織之下，闡明兩部小說中人類和非人的本體論之別實則沒有那麽大。人和其它生物並舉，讀者的視野在兩者的邊界間，因此對所有生命都産生更深刻的共情。本文亦展現了從人類中心主義剝離的傾向。

My intention in this thesis is to examine how literature uses evolutionary theory discourse to challenge the anthropocentric mindset from the Victorian period. This thesis will analyze two primary texts in this context: Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897) and H.G. Wells’ The Island of Doctor Moreau (1896). This thesis mainly focuses on Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. I am interested in investigating the permeability of the boundaries between humans and nonhumans and illustrating how the ontological divide between the two sides is closer than it may seem in these two novels. By juxtaposing the human and nonhuman species while seeing how pervious the boundaries between them are in these texts, our empathy towards all beings is increased. This thesis demonstrates a desire to depart from anthropocentrism.