earticle

영어

This paper examines Richard Brautigan's Trout Fishing in America and his writing philosophy and technique embodied in the novel. He derives his philosophy from the writers of the Beat Generation, who strived to reform Americans' false consciousness. According to his philosophy, due to unwillingness to search for the true self and identity, Americans have been overwhelmed by the false consciousness filled with egoism, the strong desire for power and money, the neglect of the poor and the weak, the pursuit of erotic pleasures, meritocracy, and unreasonable exploitation of nature. Therefore, they have lost individuality, self-reliance, spontaneity, freedom, and love in their lives. In an attempt to liberate Americans from the false and obstinate consciousness, Brautigan created Trout Fishing in America using techniques of postmodern fiction. His technique denies the plot based on cause and effect, continuity in thought and action, and consistency of characterization. The novel consists of 47 episodes, which are not entirely interrelated in cause and effect, continuity, or consistency. However, the novel maintains a theme of awakening and reforming readers’ false consciousness. It makes readers see that the false consciousness has devastated and contaminated nature as well as robbing them of self-reliance and creative power. At the same time, it makes readers realize, even in devastated nature, they can be reborn and lead a self-reliant and creative life.