著者

清水 孝純

出版者

九州大学大学院比較社会文化学府比較文化研究会

雑誌

Comparatio (ISSN:13474286)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.17, pp.1-12, 2013

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D.H.Lawrence's essay "Apocalypse" (1931) is unique in its interpretation. Lawrence strongly criticizes the desire for power shown in the Book of the Apocalypse in the New Testament. It is in his opinion a vengeful expression of oppressed Christians. But on the other hand, he appreciates highly the vivid reminiscence of the ancient mythological and heretical world which lurks behind the fantastic, awful and negative imagery. He considers it a revival of a prodigious, vibrant impulse from ancient times that will rescue civilization from its decadence. Nakamura Yujiro, one of the most eminent philosophers in Japan today, uses this idea of Lawrence to approach the problem the evil, particularly the evil portrayed in the Dostoevsky novel Devils. He analyses this complicated novel through the Book of the Apocalypse to reveal its deep structure. He finds that, in creating Devils, Dostoevsky owed a lot to this part of the bible. He considers the reason why the Apocalypse performs such an important role in Dostoevsky's novel. Finally, he finds in the text of the Apocalypse the existence of Gnosticism, which reveals to him the reason why such evil beings as Stavrogin or Pyotr in the Devils seem to be mysteriously attractive.