An Analysis of Evil in Black Dogs from the Perspective of New Historicism
Tian Chunxin

Xi’an International Studies University，Xi’an Shaanxi，710128;

Abstract: In the historical novel Black Dogs, Ian McEwan combines historical facts with fictional characters and reconstructs history, presenting the social conditions and human nature after World War II. He shows the harm and menace brought by war to European society, and the psychological changes brought by war to people. This thesis analyzes the evil in Black Dogs from the perspective of New Historicism. On the one hand, in the concept of textuality of history, this thesis focuses on the fragmented historical stories and the evil embodied in these stories. The evil exists both in European society and in people’s hearts. On the other hand, in the concept of historicity of texts, this thesis focuses on the external influences on the creation of Black Dogs and the contemplation on the causes of evil. By analyzing evil from the perspective of New Historicism, the thesis demonstrates McEwan’s humanistic care. McEwan aims to alert people to the evil of war in an era of peace. He also hopes that people can examine the evil in their own hearts and overcome it.   

Keywords: Black Dogs; New Historicism; textuality of history; historicity of texts; evil

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