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omparative analyzing on the happy marriage between Solon and Benecia as well as the fragility marriage between Orville and Dorothea, we could see that Dreiser advocated the ideal marital ethical relationship on the basis of love, and condemned snobbish marital relationship on the basis of money.

The second chapter analyzes the inter-generational ethical relationship. Of family ethical relationship, the ethical relationship between parents and children is the important part, which constitutes a specific ethical relationship. “Of a given moral system, as the obligation, the standards are often that the moral subject cannot get rid of in the social moral life. When the moral subjects face these obligations, they almost cannot choose whether or not to perform these obligations but accept these obligations obligatorily. ” (Luo Guojie：186) Taking care of parents and understanding parents is children’s duty. As the son of Rufus and Hannah, Solon concerned material and spiritual needs of their parents, and respected and loved his parents with all his heart. Solon affirmed the intrinsic value of his parents, and respected them; he was affectionate to his father and had harmonious parent-child relationship. However, Solon’s children, especially Orville and Stewart who only concerned their own needs of money and pleasures, they didn’t care for their parents and resist their parents in all aspects. For the influence of commercialization value, the inter-generational ethical relationship got a loss, parents and children face more conflicts rather than reconciliation. Children treat their parents in the criteria of money. This value of utilitarianism severely distorted the inter-generational ethical relationship. By comparative analyzing, it can be seen that what Dreiser affirmed is the inter-generational relationship on the basis of responsibility.

The third chapter analyses the compatriot ethical relationship, that is, brothers and sisters’ relationships. The compatriot ethical relationship is also the important part in the family ethical relationship. Hannah, Solon’s mother, was affectionate and friendly to her little sister, they would help each other when they were in trouble; the two families can get well along with each other. Solon and his little sister were also care for each other and showed selfless dedication to each other. However, there is lack of love and friendship among Solon’s children, they only cared for themselves and ignored other brothers and sisters, especially Orville and Dorothea. Under the influence of various materialism ideology in consumption age, the compatriot relationship inevitably move towards alienation, the warmth between brothers and sisters under traditional family ethics disappeared. Alienated compatriot relationships are full of dilemma and struggle. By comparison of the compatriot relationship, it can be seen that what Dreiser expected is the compatriot ethical relationship on the basis of “love and friendship”.

By comparing family ethical relationship in The Bulwark, it can be seen that Dreiser made reflections on how to build ethical relationship in the family. The spousal ethical relationship should be based on “love”, and ethics should not be ignored for one’s own selfish interests. The inter-generational relationship should be based on “responsibility”. If there is lack of consciousness of responsibility in feelings, it is difficult to support each other and u