Abstract：Doris Lessing is the most famous British woman writer after Virginia Woolf. The Summer before the Dark is one of her most important works. It depicts how a middle-aged woman breaks her routine, and retrieves her integral self after leaving home. Kate begins her journey of growth and tries to break away from the bondage of her responsibilities as a wife and a mother. This paper analyzes the progress of exploration of Kate. Women can be free by seeking physical, economical and spiritual independence and defining themselves.

Key words: Doris Lessing; The Summer before the Dark; self; feminist; free

CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

中文摘要

Chapter One-１

INTRODUCTION-１

1.1 Brief Introduction of Doris Lessing and The Summer before the Dark-１

1.2 Literature Review-2

1.3 The Significance of This Paper-3

Chapter Two-５

LOST IN THE FAMILY LIFE-５

2.1 The Submissive Daughter-５

2.2 The Perfect Wife-６

2.3 The Qualified Mother-７

Chapter Three-９

EXPLORATION IN THE SOCIETY-9

3.1 Comfortable Work..9

3.2 Depressing Work-10

3.3 Unhappy Extramarital Affair-11

Chapter Four-13

RETURNING HOME-１３

4.1 In the Hotel-１３

4.2 Living with Maureen-１４

4.3 Returning Home-１５

Chapter Five-１７

CONCLUSION-１７

WORKS CITED-18