科尔森·怀特黑德的《直觉主义者》出版于1999年，深入探讨了象征种族提升和社会进步的电梯世界。在小说中，怀特黑德将黑人身份与空间中的社会关系和权力动态交织在一起，强调了空间政治在身份危机、身份焦虑和身份建构中的作用。借此，怀特黑德表达了他对黑人身份问题的热切关注和对种族平等社会的憧憬。

本论文以亨利·列斐伏尔和米歇尔·福柯的空间理论为理论框架，认为《直觉主义者》中的空间不仅仅是一个静态的实体，还是社会进程的产物，在政治的影响下由意识形态塑造，充斥着社会关系和权力动态。在此背景下，本论文以里拉·梅的非裔美国女性经历为基础，揭示了在以白人男性为主的环境中，物理空间中的种族主义和权威符号导致了她的身份危机感。此外，基于里拉·梅的直觉主义者身份，本论文讨论了她在心理空间中的边缘化和疏离感，强调了空间政治的复杂性导致了她的身份焦虑感。最后，在里拉·梅多重身份相互作用的基础上，本论文探讨了她通过认同直觉主义哲学和改写富尔顿的手稿来挑战空间政治，从而在知识空间中构建自己的身份。通过分析里拉·梅的身份与不同空间中的社会关系和权力动态之间错综复杂的关系，本论文探讨了对空间元素对个体身份的影响，丰富了怀特黑德作品中关于种族、性别和身份的学术讨论。

Published in 1999, Colson Whitehead’s The Intuitionist delves into the world of elevators as a symbol of racial uplift and social progress, in which Whitehead intertwines the black identity with broader social relations and power dynamics within various spaces, highlighting the role of spatial politics in identity crisis, identity anxiety and identity construction. In doing so, Whitehead expresses his passionate concern for the issue of black identity and his vision of a racially equal society.

Taking Henri Lefebvre’s and Michel Foucault’s spatial theories as the theoretical framework, this thesis argues that space in The Intuitionist is not merely a static entity but a product of social processes, shaped by ideological elements under the influence of politics, and filled with social relations and power dynamics. In this context, building on Lila Mae’s experiences as an African American female, this thesis argues that the pervasive racism and ubiquitous authority in physical space contribute to her sense of identity crisis in a predominantly white and male environment. Additionally, based on Lila Mae’s identity as an Intuitionist, this thesis discusses her feelings of marginalization and alienation embedded in psychological space, highlighting the complexities of spatial politics that lead to her sense of identity anxiety. On the basis of the interplay of Lila Mae’s multiple identities, this thesis explores the ways in which she constructs her identity in intellectual space by identifying with intuitionist philosophy and rewriting Fulton’s manuscripts to challenge spatial politics. By analyzing the intricate relationship between Lila Mae’s identity and social relations and power dynamics embedded in different spaces, the thesis explores the impact on spatial elements on individual identity, enriching scholarly discussions on race, gender, and identity in Whitehead’s works.