A Feminist Reading of Sister Carrie 從女性主義的角度解讀《嘉莉妹妹》

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畢業(yè)論文論文題目：從女性主義的角度解讀《嘉莉妹妹》學生：指導教師：專業(yè)：英語班級：2011年6月4日 HeilongjiangUniversityCambridgeCollegeGraduationThesisTitleAFeministReadingofSisterCarrieStudentSupervisorSpecialtyEnglishClassJune4,2011 畢業(yè)論文任務書題目名稱：AFeministReadingofSisterCarrie從女性主義的角度解讀《嘉莉妹妹》立題意義十九世紀末的美國正處在資本主義迅速發(fā)展的時期，貧富之間的差異，勞資之間的矛盾，道德觀念的敗壞，人性的泯滅，正引起人們的日益關注。新興工商業(yè)城市接連出現(xiàn)，大批鄉(xiāng)村人口涌入城市。然而，當時的美國文壇卻充斥著中世紀式的浪漫傳奇、清教徒式的說教和窮孩子靠“勤勞”、“善良”而發(fā)跡的美國式奇遇，任何事實反映社會現(xiàn)實的作品都被認為不登大雅之堂而遭到出版商的抵制。德萊塞作為自然主義文學的代表，率先挑戰(zhàn)風靡美國文壇的維多利亞“優(yōu)雅”傳統(tǒng)，揭開了美國現(xiàn)實得神秘面紗，不帶偏見地描繪了新的美國城市生活。在這時推出的現(xiàn)實主義小說《嘉莉妹妹》無疑給當代社會仍進了一塊巨石；這塊巨石在當代引起了巨大的反響，發(fā)人深思并具有一定的研究意義。它批評了社會加諸男女的雙重道德標準，肯定嘉莉所體現(xiàn)出的女性自主意識。而本文將從女性主義的角度來解讀嘉莉妹妹。嘉莉妹妹的成功代表了作者的反傳統(tǒng)性，讓我們看到了作者對傳統(tǒng)女性形象的顛覆，對男權社會的一種顛覆。技術條件與要求技術要求：1．調(diào)查語篇。利用多種途徑查閱嘉莉妹妹的相關的資料，如互聯(lián)網(wǎng)、圖書館等。2．分析文獻。根據(jù)導師的指導，從查閱到的大量資料中篩選精品來重點分析3．在初稿的擬定以及多次修改當中加深理解了女性主義對嘉莉本身的影響。4．通過導師的指導和一系列的分析最后更加了解嘉莉的人物性格以及女性主義的重要性。工作計劃：第一步：查找資料，確定論文選題為從女性主義的角度解讀《嘉莉妹妹》第二步：完成關于論文資料的收集，取得與嘉莉妹妹的相關資料。第三步：根據(jù)掌握的資料，進行系統(tǒng)地分析、整理，找到切入點。第四步：閱讀與論文相關的書刊，對嘉莉的性格加以分析。第五步：組織、整理相關資料，準備論文撰寫。第六步：完成論文寫作提綱。第七步：根據(jù)論文提綱，開始論文寫作，形成初稿。第八步：根據(jù)導師提出的論文修改意見，不斷對論文進行修改、完善，并完成論文寫作。第九步：論文定稿、打印、裝訂、準備答辯。第十步：畢業(yè)論文答辯。 任務內(nèi)容（包括內(nèi)容、計劃、時間安排、完成工作量與水平具體要求）時間安排：1.2010.11.28-12.5與指導教師見面，教師指導學生如何查閱資料。2.2010.12.6-12.12學生選題階段。3.2010.12.13-12.19搜集資料。4.2010.12.20-12.26擬定大綱。5.2010.12.27-2011.1.2撰寫開題報告初稿。6.2011.1.3-2011.1.9開題報告初稿審閱。7.2011.1.10-2011.1.16開題報告進行修改。8.2011.1.17-2011.1.23開題報告定稿。9.2011.1.24-2011.1.30查閱、整理相關資料。10.1.31-3.13論文初稿。11.3.14-3.20初稿審閱。12.3.21-4.3論文進行第一次修改。13.4.4-4.10論文第一次修改審閱。14.4.11-4.17論文進行第二次修改。15.4.18-4.24論文第二次修改審閱。16.4.25-5.1論文進行第三次修改。17.5.2-5.8論文定稿、打印、裝訂。18.6.4-6.5論文答辯。專業(yè)負責人意見簽名：年月日 摘要在美國文學史上,西奧多·德萊塞的第一部小說《嘉莉妹妹》給人留下了深刻的印象。嘉莉妹妹是一個從貧窮的鄉(xiāng)下走近大都市的女孩,由一無所有變成家喻戶曉的名演員。她一生的坎坷經(jīng)歷使她完完全全地蛻變了,嘉莉在經(jīng)歷多次的動搖和徘徊之后最終成為一名經(jīng)濟獨立的女性。在整篇小說中,作者賦予了嘉莉妹妹堅強的性格和在逆境中樂觀的生活態(tài)度,當她面對挫折的時候不屈不撓勇往直前。嘉莉從未放棄過而且對生活充滿著希望。這樣具有傳奇色彩的人物形象是值得人們分析和了解的。近年來評論人會從自然主義、消費主義、美國夢等多角度審視嘉莉妹妹這一人物性格,而本文將從女性主義的角度出發(fā),嘗試重新解讀嘉莉在三個不同階段的主要人物性格,以及在她身上所體現(xiàn)出哪些女性該有的性格特征。文章還包括從自主選擇性、獨立性、面對挫折的態(tài)度三方面來解讀女性主義對嘉莉自身的影響。在文章的最后會從女性地位的提高以及女性與男性的對比這兩方面來分析當今社會女性的生存現(xiàn)狀。關鍵詞：人物性格；女性主義；影響；生存現(xiàn)狀iv AbstractInthehistoryofAmericanliterature,SisterCarrieisthefirstnovelofTheodoreDreiser,itimpressespeopledeeply.Carrie,apoorcountrygirl,becomesafamousstarinabigcity.Shehastotallychangedfromherhardexperiences,andshebecomesfinanciallyindependentasanewwomanwhenshegoesthroughhesitation.Inthewholenovel,theauthorhasplantedsomestrongpointsofCarrie’scharacter.HealsohasplantedanattitudeofbeingconfidentandoptimisticforCarrieunderadversecircumstances.Shemarchesforwardwithouthesitationwhenshefacesdefeat.Carrienevergivesuptoherfateandshehasasunnyoutlookonlife.Itisworthyofanalyzingsuchalegendarycharacter.Inrecentyears,Carrie’scharacterhasbeenreviewedfromnaturalism,consumerismandAmericandream.However,thispapertriestoreinterpretthemaincharacterofCarrieinthreedifferentstagesfromfeminist.Shehascharacterswhichbelongtowomen.ItalsoreadstheinfluenceoffeminismuponCarriethatcombinesthreeaspectsfortheinitiativeinCarrie’sownhand,Carrie’sindependenceandtheattitudetowardsfrustration.Attheendofthispaper,itanalyzeswomen’sstatusinmoderntimefromtwoaspectsoftheimprovementoffemale’ssocialstatusandthecomparisonbetweenmenandwomen.Keywords:character;feminist;influence;statusiv Contents摘要………………………………………………………………………………………………iAbstract………………………………………………………………………………………………ii1Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………12TheDifferentCharactersofCarrieinThreeStages……………………………………32.1ARoughTime………………………………………………………………………………32.2ABetterTime………………………………………………………………………………42.3ALonelyTime……………………………………………………………………………53FeministwasSpecificReflectedinCarrie…………………………………………………73.1TheDefinitionofFeminist………………………………………………………………73.2Women’sStatusReflectingfromCarrie………………………………………………83.2.1Background…………………………………………………………………………83.2.2CulturalTradition…………………………………………………………………93.2.3Women’sSelf-consciousness…………………………………………………103.3Carrie’sCharacterInfluencedbyFeminist……………………………………………113.3.1TheInitiativeinCarrie’sOwnHand…………………………………………113.3.2Carrie’sIndependence……………………………………………………………123.3.3TheAttitudetowardsFrustration………………………………………………134Women’sStatusinModernTime…………………………………………………………154.1TheImprovementofFemaleSocialStatus……………………………………………154.2TheComparisonbetweenMenandWomen…………………………………………15Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………17Bibliography………………………………………………………………………………………18iv Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………………………20iv 黑龍江大學劍橋?qū)W院畢業(yè)論文1IntroductionInthe20thcentury,TheodoreDreiser(1871-1945)wasoneofAmericangreatestwriters,andwasknownasafoundinginfluenceonthelatterAmericannaturalistschool.HewastheleaderofAmericanNaturalisminanationalliterarymovement,whichwasthemainstreamofVictorianliterature.Heportrayedcharacterswhosevaluelaynotintheirmoralcode,butintheirpersistenceagainstallobstacles,andliterarysituationsthatmorecloselyresemblestudiesofnaturethantalesofchoiceandagency.HisnovelsinvestigatedthenewsocialproblemsthathadcomeintobeinginarapidlyindustrializedAmericaandhischaractersdrivenbyselfishmotivesandinfluencedbytheprivilegesandlimitationsofsocialclass.Hewasborninapoorandlargefamily.Dreiserlefthomeatage15forChicago.Heworkedasajournalist,andin1894hemovedtoNewYork,wherehehadasuccessfulcareerasamagazineeditorandpublisher.Inthesummerof1899whenatageoftwenty-eight,hebeganhisfirstnovel，SisterCarrie.Itwasaboutayoungkeptwomanwhowentunpunishedforhertransgressions,wasdenouncedasscandalous.Inhisworks,hepaidmoreattentiontodetails,asaresultofitsimportantdescriptivetechniqueinliterature,therealismliteraturealwayscreatedsomeunexpectedeffectiveness.HissubsequentnovelswouldconfirmhisreputationastheoutstandingAmericanpractitionerofnaturalism.InhislifetimeDreiserwascontroversialasamanandasawriter.Hewasaccused,withsomejusticebyconventionalstandards,ofbeingimmoralinhispersonalbehavior,apoorthinker,andadangerouspoliticalradical;hisstylewassaidtobeponderousandhisnarrativesenseweak.Astimepasses,however,DreiserhasbeenrecognizedasaprofoundandprescientcriticofdebasedAmericanvaluesandasapowerfulnovelist.19 黑龍江大學劍橋?qū)W院畢業(yè)論文SisterCarrietoldthestoryofan18-year-oldruralgirlwhofledhercountrylifeforthebigcityandtherelivedalifefarfromaVictorianideal.Shewasunwillingtoliveinanarrow,poorandboringcountry,leftforChicago.Carriepursuedherdreamsoffameandmaterialwealth,andevenwaseagertoenjoyvariouspleasuresinherlife.However,shehadgonethroughthehardshipsofjobhunting,herwagesweresolowandwerenotprotectedherselfagainstthecoldwinter.Thenshehadalsogonethroughdiseasesandunemployment.Becauseofthecruelreality,shebecameamistressofasalesmannamedDrouet,latershealsobecameamistressofahotelmanagernamedHurstwood.Anaccidentalopportunity,shecrowdedintotheuppersocietywhenHurstwoodwasjoblessandturnedintoabeggar.ItseemedthatCarriewouldleadahappylifebutthetruthwasnot.Attheendshefeltlonelyandempty.Thisnoveltellsusonethemeistoagainstmaterialism.ButIthinkthemainprotagonistofthisnovelCarriereflectsthetypicalphenomenoninthatsociety.Thosewomenwhodesiretopursuittheireconomicdependthemselveswithoutrelyingonmen.DreisergivesmorestrongthingstothecharacterofCarrie.SoCarrieisasmartgirlandshenevergiveupwhateverdifficultiesshemeets.Ithinkwomenshouldhaveinitiativespiritandbeindependentintheirlife.Meanwhiletheyshouldbebravewhentheyareintrouble.ThewayofgettingrichbyhardworkisprovedtotallyunfitandimpracticalforagirllikeCarrie“Asbefore,theinvisiblebarrierwhichisbetweentheimaginaryworldandtherealworld,thegoodsshecovetsandthegoodssheactuallypossessesisstillthere”(PengDankui,1995:73).19 黑龍江大學劍橋?qū)W院畢業(yè)論文2TheDifferentCharactersofCarrieinThreeStages2.1ARoughTimeCarrie,theheroineofCarrie,isaninnocent,young,nativegirlwhensheleavesherhomeateighteenandinnocentlyhopestoestablishherselfinChicago.Sheisfullofemotions,illusions,passionsandconfidences.Atfirst,shebelievesthatChicagoispavedwithmorefortuneandchancethateveryonegetsopportunitiestofindagoodjobandbecomerichinthiscity.AsfarasIamconcerned,thereisnodoubtthatCarriewantstomakeabetterlifebyherhard.Anditisherright.Butwhenshearrivesandmeetshersister,Minniewhowillstaywithher.Herdreamofabetterlifecollapses.OnSisterCarrieDreiserwrote,“Shefeltthedragofamenandnarrowlife.Thewallsoftheroomswerediscordantlypapered.Thefloorswerecoveredwithmattingandthehalllaywithathinragcarpet.”(DonaldPizer,2007:21)Sherealizeshersisterandherbrother-in-lawliveatoughlife.ButthetoughlifedoesnotscareCarrieaway.Shefindsajobassoonaspossible,walkingfromcompanytoanother,turninghereandthereallthedayandnight.Althoughthisprocessistoohardandhercouragegraduallyminimizes,sheisemployedinashoe’sfactory.Sheisratherhappyandfourandahalfdollarsaweekcouldrelievetheirburden.Aftersomeheavyandboringworkintheshoefactory,shefeelsthatsheisextremelytiredandcannotenduresuchalife.Shecomplainsaboutjobwithnocomfortinherfamily.Ithinkthatisoneofreasonswhysheleaveshersister’shomelaterandwouldratherstaywithastrangermetinthetrain.Shedecidestoloseheronlyjobduetotheillnessfromcold.Herlifeisinapoorconditioniswhatisusedtobe.Afterall,shelivesinChicagonotherhometown,shewantstochangeit.Soshestrugglestoadapttothetoughlife.Whatisworse,sheisnotabilitytopaymoneyforhersisteras19 黑龍江大學劍橋?qū)W院畢業(yè)論文accommodationexpenses.Whenshesuffersthedifficulties,shecounterswiththesalesmanDrouetagain.DrouethelpsCarriewithoutmuchhesitation.Foraliving,Carrie’schoiceistoleavehersisterandshedecidestofinishthetoughlife.ThenshebecomesamistressofDrouet.Personally,shehasarighttochooseabetterlife.2.2ABetterTimeDrouet,asalesmanisreceptivetoabeautifulandattractivewoman.ItisDrouetwhowearselegantclothes.Aftermeetingonthetrain,whentheymeetagain,DrouetisawareofCarrie’sprettinessandpurity,hewantstoconquerandcharmher.SoDrouetgivesahandwhenCarrieisintrouble.Hegiveshermoneytobuywinterclothesagainstthecold,andoffershertohaveadinner,andtakeshertogotothetheater,alsoandshowsherthesightsofChicago.AsaresultofCarrie’syoung,shehasnotyetgotintouchwiththemenoftheworld.AndshehasnotbeensensibleenoughtorealizewhatthetrueattentionofDrouet.AsCarrieentersthatrestaurantwithDrouetandassheacceptsthetwoten-dollarbills.Thatistosay,DrouethasgivenmuchmoneytohelpCarriegetridofthetrouble.Althoughsheconsidersthatthemoneyshouldnotbeaccepted,sheiseagertothegoodthingsinherlife.Itissostrongthatsheoverlooksherbeliefsinwhatisrightandwrong.Sheonlywantstomakeabetterlife.“Carriegetshappywhenshethinksaboutabetterlife”(XuRuzhi,1996:67)Therefore,CarriewouldliketomakeadecisionoflivingwithDrouet.Itwillbebetterlifethanbefore.However,shefeelsashamedbecauseofobeyingthemoralities.Thiswouldnotinfavorofeverythingsocietytaught.Itisfantasticforanyrespectablewomantolivewithamanwithoutmarriage.Butshebreaksoutofthefamilyconvention.StayingwithDrouet,Carriegetssecurityandanescapefromworktowhichsheistemperamentallyunsuited.Butsheisstilltroubled,itisnotherowntolivewithDrouetwhoisnotherhusband,sheknowsitisnotacceptedbythesocialmoralityinthatsociety.ThussheeverasksDrouettomarryher.“Whydon’twegetmarried”,she19 黑龍江大學劍橋?qū)W院畢業(yè)論文said.ButDrouetalwaysanswers:“well,wewill.”Asanovelwrote,“l(fā)ethimmeetwithayoungwomanonce,hewouldapproachherwithanairofkindlyfamiliarity.”(DonaldPizer,2007:58)HemakesaconversationwithCarrieatfirstisawayofbeingattracted.Wecanmakeaconclusionthathedosenotplantomarryherandgiveherastablelifeatall.Underthiscircumstance,sheknowsthatDrouetcannotgivehersteadylove,whilemarriageisimportanttoCarrie.TheappearanceofHurstwoodmakesCarrienewhope.Asawomanwhoreallywantstoownherthought,communicateswithotherpersoninmind.ShediscoversHurstwoodisbetterthanDrouetandagreestoleaveDrouet.2.3ALonelyTimeDrouetintroducesCarrietohisfriendHurstwood,themanagerofFitzgeraldandMoy’s,asalooninChicago.WhenCarrieplayscardwithMr.Hurstwood,shefindsHurstwoodisfarmorecleverandelegantthanDrouet.ThenshegetsintouchwithhimwhenDrouetisoutofhome.CarriegraduallyisattractedbyMr.Hurstwoodandevenfallsinlovewithhim.HetellsCarriethathelovesher,buthefailstomentionthatheismarried.Hurstwoodhasahighsocialposition,theestablishedhomeandfamily.However,inreality,heisnotsatisfiedwiththesurfaceofperforming.Heisnotownrealauthorityinhisfamily.Inanotherwords,theauthoritybelongstoherwifeinlaw.WhenhemeetsCarrie,heconcernstothetheaterwithCarrie.Heregainshisself-esteem.Theyloveandcarewitheachother.Carriebelievesshemeetsarightmanandhasareallove.Shedoesnotknowsheischeated.ButshefeelssodisappointedwhensheknowsthetruththroughDrouet.AfterHurstwood’swifediscoveredtheaffairwithCarrie,hemadeadecision.Hegivesuphisgoodreputationandhisfamily,managedtoleaveforNewYorkwithCarrie.Becauseoflackingmoney,hestealsmuchmoneyfromFitzgerald.CarrieistoldthattheywouldhaveanewlifeinNewYork.AndHurstwoodwouldliketomarryher.CarriethinksshegetsHurstwood’sloveandheownswealth.They19 黑龍江大學劍橋?qū)W院畢業(yè)論文wouldbehappyinanothercity.Soshepursuesherreallovebravely.ShebeginshernewlifewithHurstwood.Nevertheless,thenewlifeisnotgood.ShehasrealizedHurstwoodlostmanythingssuchasmoney,goodsocialposition,andgoodreputationbythattime.AlthoughHurstwoodstrugglestofindajob,andtrieshisbesttoregainhislostthings,thelifeisnotgoodeither.WhenHurstwoodhasalmostnotenoughmoney,Carriedecidesthatshehastofindajobtosupporttheirlife.Soonshegetsajobasanactorinatheatrewithhereffort.Ashercareerrisesandhersocialstatusgetshigher.SherealizesHurstwoodisnolongerthemansheadmires.Therefore,shecomestotheconclusionthatsheshouldleavehim.ShebelievesherabilitywouldbesupportedherselfwithoutHurstwood.Meanwhile,HurstwoodisacceptedCarrie’schoiceandhewouldnotliketobeCarrie’sburden.Attheend,Carriepursueshercareerandsuccessfullyestablishedherstatus,whenHurstwoodbecomespoor.Althoughshebecomesasuccess,herlifeisalone.AsfarasIamconcerned,asawoman,Carrieismorebraveandconfidentevenindependent.19 黑龍江大學劍橋?qū)W院畢業(yè)論文3FeministReflectedinCarrie3.1TheDefinitionofFeministFeminismisarelativelyrecenttermforthepoliticsofequalrightsforwomen.Theterms"feminism"or"feminist"firstlyappearedinFranceandNetherlandsin1872(aslesféministes),GreatBritaininthe1890s,andTheUnitedStatesin1910,andmanylanguagesdonothavethisnounatall.Itisalsoasystemofcritiqueandhasasitscentralfocustheconceptofpatriarchy,whichcanbedescribedasasystemofmaleauthority,whichoppresseswomenthroughitssocial,political,andeconomicinstitutions.ThereforeFeminismcanbechallenging,butabroadunderstandingofitincludestheacting,speaking,writing,andadvocatingonbehalfofwomen'sissuesandrightsandidentifyinginjusticetofemalesinthesocialstatus.HistorianandactivistCherisKramaraeoncefamouslyremarkedthat“feminismistheradicalnotionthatwomenarehumanbeings.”(XiHuiling,2003:21)Feminism,asamovement,isaboutwomenlivingonequaltermswithmen--andnotpusheddown,bylaworbyculture,intoasubservientrole.Itisgenerallybrokendownintoseveralhistorical“waves”.First-wavefeminism,whichlastsfromthe18thcenturyuntilWorldWarIIandiscenteredonsecuringbasiccivilrights,suchastherighttovoteandtoownproperty;Second-wavefeminism,whichlastsfromtheendofWorldWarIIuntilthedefeatoftheEqualRightsAmendment(ERA)inthe1980sandcenteredonachievingequalityintheworkplace,protectingreproductivechoice,andattemptingtopasstheERA;andthird-wavefeminism,whichincorporatesracialjustice,LGBTrights,andclassoppressionintothefeministworldviewandseeksreal,practicalequalityforallwomen.Feminism,however,isnotonlyacritiqueoranextensionof,traditionalideologiesbuthasalsomadeasignificantcontributionofitsowninthefieldoftheoryandpraxis.19 黑龍江大學劍橋?qū)W院畢業(yè)論文Feministmethodology,whicharisesfromatraditionof'consciousnessraising'inthewomen'smovementandbydrawinguponwomen'ssubjectexperiencetoextendtheboundariesoftheoryhas,forexample,findsanimportantplaceinthefieldofmethodologicalanalysis.3.2Women’sStatusReflectedbyCarrie3.2.1BackgroundDreiser'sSisterCarrie，publishedin1900.UnitedStateswasinatransitionfromtraditionalindustrytomodernindustry.Ithadcreatedanopportunityforthedevelopmentofmodernindustrialcity,andalsoprovidedanumberofopportunitiesforemployment.Greatchangeshadalsotakenplaceinpeople'sminds,andevenconfusedandbewildered.Theearlyofnineteenthcentury,thelawoftheUnitedStateswasnotconsideredmarriedonthelegalequalitybetweenwomenandtheirhusbands,andevenherhusbandwereallowedtobeathiswifewithstickswhatwas“appropriatepenalties”.Theirallpropertycompletelybelongedtoherhusbandinmarriage.Whenhusbandandwifehadbeendivorced,theirlegalguardianshipofchildrenshouldbelongtoherhusband,thewifehadnoarighttolookafterherchildren.In1848,intheleaderofElizabethCadyStanton，whichisthefirstwomen'srightsconventiontookplaceatSenecaFalls，inNewYork.Theyaimedatamendabill,andtriedtoimprovewomen’sunequalrights.Theyhopedmanywomenweretreatedequally.SoonwomencongresswasheldinNewYork,theyformallystartedtoamovementforvotingrights.Itpromotedthecomprehensionofthecommunityaswomenthrough“Changesinthisenvironment”.Italsoprovidedanewconditionwhichwomencouldberecognizedbythesociety,anditinjectedintocatalystfortheawakeningoftheconsciousnessofwomen'srights.Atthismoment,women’sthoughtchangedalot.Whentheytookaccountofmarriage,theyturnedtofocusonfeelingthatwasromanticlove,ratherthanpurelyeconomicconsiderations.Duringthis19 黑龍江大學劍橋?qū)W院畢業(yè)論文period,theteacherbecamearespectedcareer;itofferedopportunitiestoworkasgirlsofwork-classfamilynomatterwhethershemarried.Whengirlsofawork-classfamilywenttothefactory,theycouldbecometheoldestprofessionalwomenbytheirhardworking,suchas,doctor,priestandjournalist.Therewerealsowomenwhoenteredthefieldofdealingwiththepublic,andbecameasocialreformerandpublicspeaker.3.2.2CulturalTraditionIntheearly1900s,somewritersengagedinastyleofinvestigativejournalismknownasmuckraking.Theirgoalwastoexposesocialinjustices,especiallyinAmericanbusinessandindustry.MarkTwain(1835–1910)wasthefirstmajorAmericanwritertobebornawayfromtheEastCoastintheborderstateofMissouri.HisregionalmasterpieceswerethememoirLifeontheMississippiandthenovelsAdventuresofTomSawyerandAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn.Twain'sstyleinfluencedbyjournalism,weddedtothevernacular,directandunadornedbutalsohighlyevocativeandirreverentlyhumorous,andchangedthewayAmericanswritetheirlanguage.Dreiserfocusedonthefirsttoinsist,theculturethatSisterCarriereflectedineconomicconditions.Infeministreading,atfirst,thebookportrayedlifeforayoungwomanlivingaloneandworkinginafactory.Throughhisnarrative,Dreiserconveyedhervulnerabilityandpowerlessness.Finally,shebecameanactressbyherefforts.Shehadabilitytosupportherlife.Asawoman,shewantstoownpovertyandalifeofdreamingbyherself,therecanbenomannerofdoubtaboutit.However,mostofthatsociety’swomengenerallyhavehadfewerlegalrightsandvocationchancesthanmen.AndWifehoodandmotherhoodwereregardedaswomen'smostmomentousbusiness.Althoughtheterm“feminism”wasnotinventeduntilthe1880s,reformmovementsintendingtorecoverwomen'slivesemergedearlyinthenation'shistory.AttheendoftheRevolutionaryWar,womenlivedunderfarmoreconstraintsthanmen.19 黑龍江大學劍橋?qū)W院畢業(yè)論文Inacontinuationfarmingeconomy,women'ssubordinationwaslessperceptibleandmoretolerablethanitwouldbecomeinthedevelopingmiddle-classandurbanizingcultureofthepost-Revolutionaryyears.By1848,whenthefirstwomen'srightsconventiontookplaceatSenecaFalls,NewYork,theideaof“women'srights”hadbecomefamiliaracrosstheculture.Inthenineteenthcentury,inAmerica,itstartedtochangefortherolewomenwouldplayinsociety.3.2.3Women’sSelf-consciousnessWiththedevelopmentofsocietyandtheprogressofTheTimes,people'sawarenesswillalsomodify.WiththeindustrializationofAmericasociety,Americanpeoplefigureamaterialbasedvaluesystem.Menplayamainroleinlife.However,womencouldalsoplayanimportantrole.Thisisthebeginningofawholenewforwomeninthenineteenthcentury.Womenstartstorealizethatthereareprospectsforthemoutsideoftheirhome,andthattheycouldhaveastatusintheworldaswellasmen.Itisanoccasionwhenthefeministicvisionisbeingbornandtraditionalvisionsofwomenarevarying.Middleclasswomenwouldstarttorealizethattheyarejustthesameasmen,andwouldliketoparticipateinthesameactivitiesandberegardedthatway.Thisincludesgainingaworkandaneducation,andabilitytomakealivingwithoutthehelpofmen.Womennotonlychangetheconventionalrolesinsociety,butalsotherolesintheirfamily.Withthesethought,itmustbevariedsoonerorlater.Womenwouldnomoredohouseworkandtakecareofchildrenathome.Theywouldliketogetintotheworld.Inmypoint,thisisonlytheinitiation;itstillisnotashortprocesstoaccomplishuntilwomenarecompletelytobeacceptedinsociety.ThatisthebeginningofWomen’sself-consciousness.Inthelatenineteenthcentury,“Newwomen”haveemergedinlargenumbersinsociety.Itgenerallyreferstotwokindsofwomen,oneisyoungworkersandtheotheriswomenwhowanttochangetheirfate.Newwomengenerallyhaveastrongawarenessof19 黑龍江大學劍橋?qū)W院畢業(yè)論文selfandagoodeducation.Theyusuallyarebraveandopen.Theyfirmlybelieveinfightingfortheirrights.Womenhadbeeninfluencedonthethoughtof“Newwomen”intheUnitedState,whenSisterCarriewaspublished.Theyhavebeguntochallengetheethicsoftradition,womennotonlyweremothersathome,buttheywerealsoabletoworkandcontributetosociety.CarrieisdepictedbyDreiser;sheisclever,shyandfullofpassionanddream.Shefindsherstageandsupportsherself.IbelievethisisthestartingofCarrie’sawakeningself-consciousness.3.3Carrie’sCharacterInfluencedbyFeminist3.3.1TheInitiativeinCarrie’sOwnHandInasocietyinwhichsubstancewaslife’scenter,moneywasthestandardforallsuccessandfailure,thetraditionalmoralitywaschallengedandsuspected.CarriewasnotthepersonwhoprotectedtheethicalpurityintheVictorianTimes.Herbehavior’smodelwasself-interest.Forexample,whenDrouetpersuadedhertoleavehersister’shouse,Carriehesitated.Inreality,Carriebelievedtheincorrectnessofthedecisionofleavinghersister.Butshewasdominatedbyherneeds.ShedecidedtolivewithDrouet.Inthisnovel,Carriehadacharacterofdistinctsubjective.Shenotonlypursuedtheirself-realization,butalsocontrolledherowndestinyandhadabetterlifeonherown.Asabeautifulandinnocentgirlawayfromherhome,shewantedtocherishherdreamsinChicago.Intheentirenovel,shemadethreechoices;allofthesechoiceswerereflectedthatshehadtheinitiativeandapersonalityofthe“Newwomen”.Becauseofherroughlifewithhersisterandbrother-in-lawwasnotherimagination.ShemadefirstchoiceoflivingwithDrouet.Itimprovedherlifeandenjoyedherself,however,whenshefoundDrouetcouldnotmarryherandsupportherenough.Therefore,aftertheappearanceofthemanagerofhotel,Carriemadethesecondchoice.ShechosentolivewithHurstwood19 黑龍江大學劍橋?qū)W院畢業(yè)論文andleftDrouet.Carrie’srelationshipwithotherswasthedemandofsurvival.Everyonehasrightstopursuittheirhappiness.Inthatsociety,womenalmostwereconventionalwomen.Theycouldonlymarryonceinalltheirlife.Acouplewasnotacceptabletolivetogetherwithoutmarriage.(JiangDaochao,2003:33)However,Carrieupsetthistraditionalrule,shehadtheuntraditionallove.Shetriedherbesttoadapttheresponsibilityofahousewife.Finally,alongwithHurstwood’sbankruptcy,theyhadtobelivingoncredit.Thiswasnotthelifewhatshedreamed.Shedidnotdependuponmenanylonger.SheleftHurstwoodasthethirdchoice.Shebelievedthatshecouldhaveabetterliferelyonherownefforts.Attheend,shesucceededinherstage.Shealwaysinsistedherchoicewasright.3.3.2Carrie’sIndependenceFemaleselectingandfemalestartingtoworkarebothchiefdivisionsofthefightforparityforwomeninAmerica.AsfarasIamconcerned,thisisthesymbolofwomen’sindependence.FemalerightsandtheoriginoffeminismchangethewayoflookingatfemaleintheMiddleClassinsocietyandchangetheMiddleClassvalues.Femalearesettingabouttohaveamoreindividualistvisiononlife,theyarerecognizingthattheydonothavetocountonamantosurvive.Carrieisfromaninnocentgirltobeasuccessfulactressbyherown.Sheshapesthenewimageofwomeninthisprocess,andsheisnolongerdependedonmen.Withtheindependenceofeconomic,shecompletelyhasacareerandthepersonalityofindependence.Carriegraduallyturnsmorematuritywhensheexperiencesinfindingjobs.Whensheknowssister’sroughlife,sherealizesthatsheneedstofindajobtosupportherandevenpaysomemoneyforherbrother-in-laweverymonth.Inthemeanwhile;shesensestheimportantofindependence.Inaddition,herwomen’sself-consciousnessisalsoawakened.InthebookreportofSisterCarrie,“Itisafeatureofthewomantobeprotected,supportedandsympathized”Dreisersaid.Women19 黑龍江大學劍橋?qū)W院畢業(yè)論文arelimitedtothistraditionalconcept.Carrie's“revolt”isquietbutdecisive.Findingtheconventionalhouseholdscopeforwomenservileaswellasstifling,Carriemakesadecisionshewillnot“l(fā)ivecoopedupinsmallflat”withsomeonewhoregardsherasa“servant”.Shedecidestocarryongoingtoworkexceptthefistjob,andatthistimesheswitchesroleswiththeunemployedHurstwood.ShebecomesthesupporterwhenshefallsinlovewithHurstwood.CarrienotonlyrebellingagainstHurstwoodbutmoreimportantlyagainsttherolethosewomenistraditionallyexpectedtoobey.AshistorianBarbaraWelterdescribesthenineteenthcenturyidealforthewhitemiddleclass,the“TrueWoman”isexpectedtobepious,pure,domestic,andsubmissive.However,acompetingmodelforfemininityemergesintheU.S.aroundthe1880s.The“NewWoman”typicallyhasacareerandiseconomicallyindependent.NewWomenalignsthemselveswithmembersoftheirownsexratherthaninconventionalmarriages.WhenCarriefollowsthispattern,sheearnsmoreincomesonstage.Yet,thetypicalNewWomanisbettereducatedandisinclinedinpoliticthanCarrie,andsowemaybestthinkofDreiser'sheroineasatransitionalfigure,movingfromtheVictorianmodelofTrueWomantowardtherecognizablymodernNewWoman.3.3.3TheAttitudetowardsFrustrationThe19thisthestartingofanewepochoffeminism,whichwomenhavenotforgottenandstoppedfightingforuntilthisday.“ThedevelopmentoffeminisminAmericabeginsanastonishinghistoryforfemaleandhowtheycreatetheirpositioninoursociety.WhenCarrietriedtofindajob,shewasscared.”(EllenCarol,1980:126).Carriehadnoskillstopresentanemployer,nojobexperience.Chicagowasalargecity,butsocietyatthattimedidnothavemanyjobopportunitiesforworkingwomen.TheonlyjobsthatCarriecouldpossiblygetwereinthefactoriesthat,paidlowwages,hadpoor19 黑龍江大學劍橋?qū)W院畢業(yè)論文workingconditions,andlonghours.Whenwinterarrived,Carriegotsickandstayedhomefromworkwhichcausedhertoloseherjob.Facingtroubles,Carriehadalwaysthoughtthatifsheevergotwealthandposition,whichshenowhas,thatshewouldbecompletelyhappy.Carriewasyoung,innocent,andscaredwhenshefirstarrivedinChicago.Withnoskills,shecouldn’tfindajob.Goingagainstthesocialrulesofhergeneration,shelivedwithtwomenastheirmistress.Finally,shewaswithoutsupportandrequiredtomakeitonherown.Becomingasuccessinthetheater,shewasabletogetallthethingsshedesires.Itisridiculousthatfemalesshouldbeexpectedtobeinnatelyethical,contemptuousofmoney-orientedmotives,andpresentedasmonstersiftheyareambitious.ThesameiscorrecttoCarrie.Sheshouldnotbechargedasadishonestsexualcareerist,foritistheprejudicedmale-dominatedsociety,insteadofCarriethatshouldholdtheresponsibilitytotheevilsofsuchasituation.Carriehasawarrior'sattitude-decisive,courageous,andbold.Carrietendstoalwayscraveaction,evenwhenwaitingforanopportunemomentornotdoinganythingatallwouldactuallybeeffectiveinthelong-term.19 黑龍江大學劍橋?qū)W院畢業(yè)論文4Women’sStatusinModernTime4.1TheImprovementofFemaleSocialStatusInmoderntime,politicalandeconomicareasofthecountryentailnotonlytheraiseofwomen'sroleinsociety.Inaddition,theyareaccompaniedbybreakingofstereotypestotreathumanbeingsbysexthathadbeenformingthroughdecades.Freeeconomicrelationsanddemocratizationofallspheresoflifecreatethebasisforeventualequalsocialrightsforanyhumanbeingregardlessofsex,forbothmenandwomen.Thestatusofthewomenhasimprovinginthemoderntime,ofcourse,mostofwomenlikebeautifulthing,andalsowanttobeabeautifulwomen.Fromthehairtothefoot,thereisalotofgoodswhichareproducedeveryminutetosatisfywomen’sdemandintheworld.Thecenturies-oldChineseconventionthatawoman'sjobistostayhome,takecareofherhusbandandprovideearlychildhoodtrainingforthekidshasbeenwidelycondemnedasafetteronwomensincetheearly1900s.MoreandmoreChinesewomenhaveundertakendifferentjobsandprovedtobeasproficientasmenduringthepastcentury.Thesurveyhasfoundthatthemajorityofthefemalerespondentsopposedthetraditionalideathat“familyandhusbandarecenterofawoman'slife.”and75.1percentofthemsaidtheywillkeeptheirjobseveniftheirfamiliesbecomerichenoughtosparethemfromhavingtowork.Whenwomen'sstatusisenhancedtoacertainextent,theybecomemoreindependentandhavemorechoicesinlife.4.2TheComparisonbetweenMenandWomen“Feminismthinksthattherelationshipbetweenmenandwomenisthemostbasicsocialstructureandthedifferenceingenderisthemostfundamentalsocialrule.”(XiHuiling,2003:13)Genderisconnectedwiththediscourseofthecontextualbody.Inthe19 黑龍江大學劍橋?qū)W院畢業(yè)論文20thcentury,however,womeninmostnationswontherighttovoteandincreasedtheireducationalandjobopportunities.Perhapsmostimportant,theyfoughtforandtoalargedegreeaccomplishedarevisionoftraditionalviewsoftheirroleinsociety.Then,socialadvancementwascrucialtowomen.A.SocialReformastheprerequisiteofWomen’sliberation.Inmoderntime,womencanenjoymanyrightsunderthecircumstanceofcomparingfemalewithmale.First,womenhaveequalpoliticalrightswithmen.Theycanvoteandstandfordetermination.Second,womenhaveequalpropertyrightswithmen.Thelawregulatesthatruralwomenhavethesamerightsasruralmenintheallowanceof“responsibilityfarmland”and“grain-rationfarmland”andintheauthorizationofhousingsites.Third,womenhaveequalworkingrightswithmen.Thesechieflyreferstotherightofworkingandbeingemployed,therightofsecurityandmedicalcare,therightofsocialinsuranceandspeciallaborprotection.Fourth,womenhaveequalrightwithmeninaspectsofeducationandculture.Inanotherwords,thegovernmentandsocietyhavetheresponsibilitytoguaranteethattherightoffemaleareequaltomale.19 黑龍江大學劍橋?qū)W院畢業(yè)論文ConclusionFromtheaboveanalysis,wemayseethatCarrie,aruralandinnocentgirl,shegraduallybecomesanindependentandsuccessfulwoman.FromCarrie’sexperience,thefactisobviousthatitishardforawomantomakeabetterlifeonherown.ThispaperaimstoreadSisterCarriefromthefeminism.Inthatsociety,thetraditionwomenalwaysrelyonmen.Allmostofthemstayathomedoingthebasichouseworkfortheirfamilybuttheydon’thavetheirowncareers.Itmakesthemhavenospacetoimprovetheirvaluestheyown.Althoughfemalesarerestrictedtomanyrules,wecanfindthefeaturesoftheinitiative,independenceandbraveryfromCarrie.However,Carrie,tosomeextent,isatypicalrepresentativeofNewWoman,whoistiredofherfixedidentityandisnotcontentwithherposition.Inpursuingherdream,Carrie’sself-consciousnessisawakenedstepbystep.Insteadofdependingonmen,sheachieveshermaterialsuccessbyherself.Shebravelychoosestoconfrontthedifficultieswhensheisintrouble.Shereceivesequalpaymentindoingjobsasmen.AstheheroineofSisterCarrie,sheenjoysfreedomafterbeingafamouswomanattheBroadway.Shecandoeverythingshewantstobecausesheisequaltomenatlast.Wecanalsofindthatwomenshouldbehavingthisself-consciousness.Women’ssocialstatuswillberoseandberecognized,aslongaswomenrealizetheawareness.Nowadays,withfurtheropening-uppolicyandthedevelopmentofmarket-orientedeconomy,somepeoplemakeeveryefforttoseekfameandwealthasCarriedidinthenovel.Theypaynoattentiontospiritualneed,family,friendship,orevenlove.Carrieencourageswomentostrugglefortheirequalrightsandsocialstatus.Modernwomenreallyinfluenceourworld.Theymakeourworldmorepowerfulandpromising.19 黑龍江大學劍橋?qū)W院畢業(yè)論文BibliographyDonaldPizer.NewEssaysonSisterCarrie[M].CambridgeUniversityPress,2007.EllenCarolDubois.FeminismandSuffrage[M].CornellUniversityPress,1980.Kowalski-Wallace,Elizabeth.EncyclopediaofFeministLiteraryTheory[M].NewYork:Taylor&FrancisBooks,1996.TheodoreDreiser.SisterCarrie[M].BantamClassics,1982.TheodoreDreiser:PoliticalWritings,editedbyJudeDavies.UniversityofIllinoisPress,2011.陳順馨,戴錦華.婦女、民族與女性主義[M].北京:中央編譯出版社,2004.蔣道超.難以超越文化的假定--20世紀中美德萊塞研究評述[J].深圳大學學報,2000.蔣道超.德萊塞研究[M].上海:上海外語教育出版社,2003.靳懷芳,胡宗峰.“新女性”的背后——從女性主義的角度看《嘉莉妹妹》[J].浙江萬里學院學報2005,(2).德萊塞.嘉莉妹妹[M].北京：外文出版社，2008.林彬.從嘉莉形象看德萊塞的女性觀及其內(nèi)在矛盾性[J].外國文學研究,2003(2).劉炳善.英國文學簡史[M].河南:河南人民出版社,2001.彭丹逵.德萊賽和他的嘉莉妹妹[J].嘉應大學學報，1995(2).薇爾·普魯姆德.女性主義與對自然的主宰[M].重慶:重慶出版社,2007.王守仁,劉海平.新編美國文學史[M].上海外語教育出版社,2001.吳偉仁.美國文學史及選讀[M].外語教學與研究出版社,2009.西慧玲.西方女性主義與中國女作家批評[M].上海:上海社會科學院出版社,2003.許汝祉，德萊賽.嘉莉妹妹[M].山西:北岳文藝出版社，1996.19 黑龍江大學劍橋?qū)W院畢業(yè)論文AcknowledgementsIamgreatlyindebtedtomysupervisor,MissNanLiqiong,whohasgivenmethemostvaluableadviceandhascarefullyscrutinizedmydraftandmadenecessarycorrections.Herperceptiveobservations,measuredremarksandconsideratecriticismshavehelpedmetowardabetterunderstandingoftheissuesdiscussedinmythesis.Herpassionandessentialviewonresearchhavemadeadeepimpressiononme.WithoutherhelpIcannotfinishmywork.Specialthanksshouldgotomyparentsandgoodfriendsfortheirunconditionalsupportwhichformedpartofmyvision.IamsincerelygratefultoalltheteachersintheForeignLanguageDepartment,HeiLongJiangUniversityCambridgeCollege.TheyhavealwaysbeenreadytohelpmewheneverIneedsomereferencesinthefouryearsofuniversitystudy.Finally,IthankGodforguidingmethroughallthestressanddifficultiesalongtheresearchpart.19