Contents

Acknowledgments

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Introduction to Edith Wharton-1

1.2 Introduction to The Age of Innocence-1

1.3 Research Status of The Age of Innocence-2

Chapter Two Theory of Feminism-4

2.1 Definition of Feminism-4

2.2 Origin and Development of Feminism-4

Chapter Three Feminism in The Age of Innocence-6

3.1 Embodiment of Feminism in Three Characters-6

3.1.1 May Welland’s Confusion-6

3.1.2 Newland Archer’s Awakening-7

3.1.3 Ellen Olenska’s Pursuit-8

3.2 Causes of Three Characters’ Feminist Consciousness-9

3.2.1 Social Background-9

3.2.2 Personal Experiences-9

Chapter Four Conclusion-11

References-12

Abstract

At the end of the 19th century, Edith Wharton was regarded as one of the most influential female writers in American literature world. The Age of Innocence, which shows the panorama of the upper class of the New York in the late 1970s and early 1980s, is known as one of the most outstanding works of Wharton. In The Age of Innocence, the writer established the characters and placed the theme of the work in the deep reality of the soil. The material of her novels was based on her experience and familiar environment. This paper studies the embodiment of feminism in the novel through the three characters of the novel.

This paper mainly includes four parts. Chapter one introduces Edith Wharton and The Age of Innocence. Chapter two is the theory of feminism. Chapter three mainly describes feminism in The Age of Innocence from two aspects. It includes the embodiment of feminism in three characters and the causes of three characters’ feminist consciousness. And Chapter four concludes of the whole article.    

Keywords:  Edith Wharton; The Age of Innocence; feminism