Abstract Mark Twain, a renowned American writer and speaker, is regarded one of the best-known celebrities and was once rated great author of American literature for his humour, exquisite writing skills and ironic style. His works, sparkling with his specific intelligence and wisdom, deeply analyses the American society. His short story, The Diary of Adam and Eve, tells of the story of Adam and Eve, in which female status is depicted independent, rational and brave enough to pursue her own happiness. Meanwhile, she manages to change Adam who accepts her at last, which is the process of the pursuit of equality and harmonious life between genders. In the meanwhile, it also justifies Twain's advanced thought: female should be independent, be equal with male, endeavour to pursue her own happiness, and it also shows that the harmonious life between male and female needs the efforts from both sides. 47070
This thesis approaches the textural analysis, including three parts. The first part is based on the analysis of characteristics, language and psychology, reflecting the developing process of Eve’s female consciousness; the second part is based on the gradual changes of Adam after acquainting with Eve and their role in the family life, showing the harmony between genders; the last part is based on the analysis of the text, embodying forming reason of Twain's understanding of the harmonious life between male and female.
The research of this paper shows that female consciousness is not awakened overnight; on the contrary, it is a developing process. It is a dynamic process from development to establishment. The significance of feminism is not replacing the patriarchy idea but to pursue the equality and mutual harmony between male and female.
Key words: Mark Twain, Feminism, diary, female consciousness, harmony
摘要马克·吐温是美国著名作家、演说家,以其幽默诙谐的语言、精湛的技巧、讽刺的风格被称为美国最知名人士之一,曾经被推崇为“美国文坛巨子”,其作品既富于独特的个人机智与妙语,又不乏深刻的社会洞察与剖析。他的短篇名作《亚当夏娃的秘密日记》讲述了亚当和夏娃的故事,一改圣经中的人类第一对夫妻的男尊女卑的生活状态,描写了吐温心目中的理想妻子形象,独立、理性、敢于追求幸福,最终改变了亚当,并得到了他的认可,这是一个男女追求平等、追求和谐生活的过程。同时也表现了吐温先进的思想:女性需要独立自主,与男性具有平等的地位,勇敢追求自己的幸福,也道出男女要和谐相处,必须依靠双方的共同努力。
本文采用文本分析的方法,其中包括三个部分。第一部分是通过对夏娃性格特质、语言和心理分析体现其女性意识的发展过程;第二部分通过对亚当结识夏娃后的逐步改变以及后来家庭生活中亚当夏娃各自的地位分析展现了两性的和谐相处;第三部分通过分析总结吐温在小说中描绘的理想妻子形象以及两性和谐相处的途径。
本论文研究表明:女性意识不是一蹴而就的,是慢慢发展的,从发展到最终确立是一个动态的过程。女性主义在现代的研究的最终意义并不是取代男权主义而是追求男女平等、和谐共处的理想社会。
毕业论文关键词:马克·吐温;女性主义;日记;女性意识;和谐
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements i
Abstract.. ii
摘要. iii
1 Introduction 1
2 A Brief Introduction to Feminism 5
2.1 Feminism’s Definition 5
2.2 Women’s Female Consciousness 6
2.3 Women’s Role in Marriage and Family Life