On The Moon and Sixpence from the Perspective of Feminism_英语论文

摘要

《月亮与六便士》是英国小说家威廉·萨默塞特·毛姆创作于1919年的长篇小说，也是他最著名的作品之一。这部作品描述了主人公思特里克兰德放弃他原本平稳幸福的生活，抛妻弃子去法国巴黎追求他的绘画梦想的故事。本文从女性主义视角出发，先对三个主要女性人物：思特里克兰德太太，勃朗什和爱塔的人物性格、行为进行分析:思特里克兰德太太的虚伪与能干，勃朗什的温柔与冷酷，爱塔的善良与无知，然后揭示造成她们悲剧命运的原因：生活在男权时代受到的偏见导致她们丧失了自我意识，沦为“他者”，难以实现个人价值。本文对女性人物受到的压迫进行总结并呼吁人们理性对待小说中的人物塑造和重视性别平等。

关键词：《月亮与六便士》  女性形象  女性主义理论  毛姆

Abstract

The Moon and Sixpence is a novel written by William Somerset Maugham in 1919 and become one of his most famous works. The novel is about the hero Charles Strickland give up his originally stable and happy life to Paris to pursue his dream of painting. This thesis analyzes three female characters in the novel: Mrs.Strickland, Blanche and Ata from the perspective of feminism. The author discusses Mrs.Strickland’s hypocrisy and ability, Blanche’s gentleness and cruelty and Ata’s kindness and ignorance. From the analysis, the author finds out reasons that cause their tragic fates. Because of living in patriarchal society, they suffer from prejudices and live without self-awareness. As “the second sex”, it is difficult for females to realize their own value. This thesis summarizes the discrimination the female characters suffer and appeals readers to review the characterization in the novel critically as well as give importance to gender equality.

Keywords: The Moon and Sixpence  female image  Feminism  William Somerset Maugham

Contents

Chapter One  Introduction1

1.1  Research Background and Significance1

1.2  Research Questions.2 

1.3  Thesis Structure.2

Chapter Two  Literature Review4

2.1  Researches of The Moon and Sixpence Abroad.4

2.2  Researches of The Moon and Sixpence at Home5

Chapter Three  Theoretical Framework7 

3.1  Development of Feminism7

3.2  Main Views of Feminism9  

Chapter Four  On Female Images in The Moon and Sixpence from the 

 Perspective of Feminism 12

4.1  Introduction to The Moon and Sixpence.12

4.2  On Female Images from the Perspective of Feminism.14

4.2.1 Mrs. Strickland：A Woman Living in a Patriarchal Society14

4.2.2 Blanche：A Woman Being Demonized.17

4.2.3 Ata：The Objectified Angel.19

4.3  Summary.20

Chapter Five  Conclusion22

5.1  Major Findings22

5.2  Limitations22

Bibliography

Acknowledgements