A Feminist Reading of Sister Carrie 从女性主义的角度解读《嘉莉妹妹》

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毕业论文论文题目：从女性主义的角度解读《嘉莉妹妹》学生：指导教师：专业：英语班级：2011年6月4日 HeilongjiangUniversityCambridgeCollegeGraduationThesisTitleAFeministReadingofSisterCarrieStudentSupervisorSpecialtyEnglishClassJune4,2011 毕业论文任务书题目名称：AFeministReadingofSisterCarrie从女性主义的角度解读《嘉莉妹妹》立题意义十九世纪末的美国正处在资本主义迅速发展的时期，贫富之间的差异，劳资之间的矛盾，道德观念的败坏，人性的泯灭，正引起人们的日益关注。新兴工商业城市接连出现，大批乡村人口涌入城市。然而，当时的美国文坛却充斥着中世纪式的浪漫传奇、清教徒式的说教和穷孩子靠“勤劳”、“善良”而发迹的美国式奇遇，任何事实反映社会现实的作品都被认为不登大雅之堂而遭到出版商的抵制。德莱塞作为自然主义文学的代表，率先挑战风靡美国文坛的维多利亚“优雅”传统，揭开了美国现实得神秘面纱，不带偏见地描绘了新的美国城市生活。在这时推出的现实主义小说《嘉莉妹妹》无疑给当代社会仍进了一块巨石；这块巨石在当代引起了巨大的反响，发人深思并具有一定的研究意义。它批评了社会加诸男女的双重道德标准，肯定嘉莉所体现出的女性自主意识。而本文将从女性主义的角度来解读嘉莉妹妹。嘉莉妹妹的成功代表了作者的反传统性，让我们看到了作者对传统女性形象的颠覆，对男权社会的一种颠覆。技术条件与要求技术要求：1．调查语篇。利用多种途径查阅嘉莉妹妹的相关的资料，如互联网、图书馆等。2．分析文献。根据导师的指导，从查阅到的大量资料中筛选精品来重点分析3．在初稿的拟定以及多次修改当中加深理解了女性主义对嘉莉本身的影响。4．通过导师的指导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义的重要性。工作计划：第一步：查找资料，确定论文选题为从女性主义的角度解读《嘉莉妹妹》第二步：完成关于论文资料的收集，取得与嘉莉妹妹的相关资料。第三步：根据掌握的资料，进行系统地分析、整理，找到切入点。第四步：阅读与论文相关的书刊，对嘉莉的性格加以分析。第五步：组织、整理相关资料，准备论文撰写。第六步：完成论文写作提纲。第七步：根据论文提纲，开始论文写作，形成初稿。第八步：根据导师提出的论文修改意见，不断对论文进行修改、完善，并完成论文写作。第九步：论文定稿、打印、装订、准备答辩。第十步：毕业论文答辩。 任务内容（包括内容、计划、时间安排、完成工作量与水平具体要求）时间安排：1.2010.11.28-12.5与指导教师见面，教师指导学生如何查阅资料。2.2010.12.6-12.12学生选题阶段。3.2010.12.13-12.19搜集资料。4.2010.12.20-12.26拟定大纲。5.2010.12.27-2011.1.2撰写开题报告初稿。6.2011.1.3-2011.1.9开题报告初稿审阅。7.2011.1.10-2011.1.16开题报告进行修改。8.2011.1.17-2011.1.23开题报告定稿。9.2011.1.24-2011.1.30查阅、整理相关资料。10.1.31-3.13论文初稿。11.3.14-3.20初稿审阅。12.3.21-4.3论文进行第一次修改。13.4.4-4.10论文第一次修改审阅。14.4.11-4.17论文进行第二次修改。15.4.18-4.24论文第二次修改审阅。16.4.25-5.1论文进行第三次修改。17.5.2-5.8论文定稿、打印、装订。18.6.4-6.5论文答辩。专业负责人意见签名：年月日 摘要在美国文学史上,西奥多·德莱塞的第一部小说《嘉莉妹妹》给人留下了深刻的印象。嘉莉妹妹是一个从贫穷的乡下走近大都市的女孩,由一无所有变成家喻户晓的名演员。她一生的坎坷经历使她完完全全地蜕变了,嘉莉在经历多次的动摇和徘徊之后最终成为一名经济独立的女性。在整篇小说中,作者赋予了嘉莉妹妹坚强的性格和在逆境中乐观的生活态度,当她面对挫折的时候不屈不挠勇往直前。嘉莉从未放弃过而且对生活充满着希望。这样具有传奇色彩的人物形象是值得人们分析和了解的。近年来评论人会从自然主义、消费主义、美国梦等多角度审视嘉莉妹妹这一人物性格,而本文将从女性主义的角度出发,尝试重新解读嘉莉在三个不同阶段的主要人物性格,以及在她身上所体现出哪些女性该有的性格特征。文章还包括从自主选择性、独立性、面对挫折的态度三方面来解读女性主义对嘉莉自身的影响。在文章的最后会从女性地位的提高以及女性与男性的对比这两方面来分析当今社会女性的生存现状。关键词：人物性格；女性主义；影响；生存现状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 黑龙江大学剑桥学院毕业论文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 黑龙江大学剑桥学院毕业论文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 黑龙江大学剑桥学院毕业论文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 黑龙江大学剑桥学院毕业论文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 黑龙江大学剑桥学院毕业论文said.ButDrouetalwaysanswers:“well,wewill.”Asanovelwrote,“lethimmeetwithayoungwomanonce,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 黑龙江大学剑桥学院毕业论文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 黑龙江大学剑桥学院毕业论文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 黑龙江大学剑桥学院毕业论文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 黑龙江大学剑桥学院毕业论文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 黑龙江大学剑桥学院毕业论文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 黑龙江大学剑桥学院毕业论文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 黑龙江大学剑桥学院毕业论文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 黑龙江大学剑桥学院毕业论文arelimitedtothistraditionalconcept.Carrie's“revolt”isquietbutdecisive.Findingtheconventionalhouseholdscopeforwomenservileaswellasstifling,Carriemakesadecisionshewillnot“livecoopedupinsmallflat”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 黑龙江大学剑桥学院毕业论文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 黑龙江大学剑桥学院毕业论文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 黑龙江大学剑桥学院毕业论文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 黑龙江大学剑桥学院毕业论文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 黑龙江大学剑桥学院毕业论文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.陈顺馨,戴锦华.妇女、民族与女性主义[M].北京:中央编译出版社,2004.蒋道超.难以超越文化的假定--20世纪中美德莱塞研究评述[J].深圳大学学报,2000.蒋道超.德莱塞研究[M].上海:上海外语教育出版社,2003.靳怀芳,胡宗峰.“新女性”的背后——从女性主义的角度看《嘉莉妹妹》[J].浙江万里学院学报2005,(2).德莱塞.嘉莉妹妹[M].北京：外文出版社，2008.林彬.从嘉莉形象看德莱塞的女性观及其内在矛盾性[J].外国文学研究,2003(2).刘炳善.英国文学简史[M].河南:河南人民出版社,2001.彭丹逵.德莱赛和他的嘉莉妹妹[J].嘉应大学学报，1995(2).薇尔·普鲁姆德.女性主义与对自然的主宰[M].重庆:重庆出版社,2007.王守仁,刘海平.新编美国文学史[M].上海外语教育出版社,2001.吴伟仁.美国文学史及选读[M].外语教学与研究出版社,2009.西慧玲.西方女性主义与中国女作家批评[M].上海:上海社会科学院出版社,2003.许汝祉，德莱赛.嘉莉妹妹[M].山西:北岳文艺出版社，1996.19 黑龙江大学剑桥学院毕业论文AcknowledgementsIamgreatlyindebtedtomysupervisor,MissNanLiqiong,whohasgivenmethemostvaluableadviceandhascarefullyscrutinizedmydraftandmadenecessarycorrections.Herperceptiveobservations,measuredremarksandconsideratecriticismshavehelpedmetowardabetterunderstandingoftheissuesdiscussedinmythesis.Herpassionandessentialviewonresearchhavemadeadeepimpressiononme.WithoutherhelpIcannotfinishmywork.Specialthanksshouldgotomyparentsandgoodfriendsfortheirunconditionalsupportwhichformedpartofmyvision.IamsincerelygratefultoalltheteachersintheForeignLanguageDepartment,HeiLongJiangUniversityCambridgeCollege.TheyhavealwaysbeenreadytohelpmewheneverIneedsomereferencesinthefouryearsofuniversitystudy.Finally,IthankGodforguidingmethroughallthestressanddifficultiesalongtheresearchpart.19