《马丁·伊登》是一部有着清晰伦理结构的作品,小说自始至终都在描写主人公马丁·伊登因伦理身份的错位而陷入多重伦理困境。他用狂热的激情和超乎常人的努力所换来的并不是梦想的实现,而是愈来愈浓重的失落与孤独之感。在受到一连串的打击之后,马丁·伊登身上的理性反而得以回归,使他认识到自己已无法继续生活在现实的环境中,唯一的选择只能是彻底离开虚伪浑浊的尘世。这既是解脱,也是抗议。该作的伦理教诲特征由此得以凸显。
There is a clear ethical structure in Martin Eden. Martin Eden, the hero of the novel, always unconsciously fell into multiple ethical predicaments because of the misplacement of his ethical identity. His fanatical passion and extraordinary efforts did not make any sense in the realization of his dream but only brought him a gradually intensified feeling of loss and loneliness. However, impacted by a series of failures, instead of being defeated, Martin regained his rationality and rational will. He found that he couldn't go on living in the reality anymore. He had no choice but to die, detached from the murky world. That was not only a relief for Martin Eden but also a protest by him. Through this narrative, the characteristics of the ethical propagation of this novel are highlighted.