Ethical Ideology of Contemporary British Universities from David Lodge’s Campus Novels

Abstract

David Lodge is a world-famous British novelist and literary critic. He is best known for his "Campus Trilogy" which satirize academic life in universities, particularly his Changing Places and Small World. These campus novels show us some moral or ethical problems in universities, such as extramarital affair of the professors, the abnormal relationship between teachers and students, etc. This paper will explore the moral or ethical ideology reflected in these novels according to some mutual agreed standards of morality and ethic in China and in western countries. After analysis of the campus life in the stories, we can draw a conclusion that British universities are facing the deficiency of moral or ethical education. This deficiency of education has departed from the educational aim of universities to foster qualified talent with both of morality and ability. The research can also provide benefit and enlightenment to the construction of socialist core values in China.