狗"親內仇外"的本能與基督教二元對立精神不謀而合,多麗絲·萊辛筆下多種狗的形象反映了她對西方基督教文明從批判、肯定到超越的復雜態度,這種態度與其跨文化經歷有關。作為跨文化作家,萊辛既從局外批判"兇狗"及其背后西方文明的二元對立,又置身其內肯定"忠狗"及基督教文明愛的精髓,這體現了萊辛的多元視角;同時,萊辛筆下的"善狗"超越了二元對立之界,幫助全人類重建伊甸園,這種著眼于全人類的文明拯救之路體現了萊辛的世界性視角。

Dogs tend to love acquaintances and hate strangers by nature, which has something in common with Christian dualism. The various dogs in Doris Lessing’s writings manifest her critical, affirmative and transcendental attitude toward western Christian civilization. This complex attitude cannot be separated from her cross-cultural experiences. On the one hand, as an outsider, Lessing criticizes fierce dogs as well as binary opposition of the western Christian civilization they symbolize. On the other hand, Lessing adopts the insider’s view to praise the faithful dog’s loyalty and love, qualities that characterize Christian civilization. Lessing’s depiction of the kind dog as man’s helper in rebuilding Eden transcends the binary opposition and reflects her global perspective.