Abstract：Eugene O'Neill is the most celebrated playwright of America in the twentieth century who has been regarded as “the father of American play “.He can employ various dramatic skills to describe the reality of American society with seriousness which surpasses other people in every aspects. His success lies in that he has created many vivid and wonderful women characters. Though his works has suffered some criticism, those women characters in his works possess unique women consciousness and profound meaning. This dissertation will give some brief introduction about the awakening and limitation of women consciousness through three plays, namely, Long Day's Journey Into Night, Desire Under the Elms, and Mourning Becomes Electra.

Key Words：women character；feminism；women consciousness

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1.Brief introduction to the features of O’Neill’s women consciousness-1

2. Women consciousness in Desire Under the Elms-3

2.1Adversities faced by women in this play and their reactions-3

2.1.1Awakening of women consciousness reflected through two elms-3

2.2Abbie-no longer a home angel-5

2.2.1consciousness of economic status-6

2.2.2 consciousness of love-7

2.2.3consciousness of value of life-9

3.Women consciousness reflected through Mary in Long Day's Journey Into Night-10

3.1Love means servitude-11

3.1.1Awakening consciousness of own value—dream-11

3.1.2Attitudes toward marriage—awakening consciousness of independence-12

4. Awakening of women consciousness of other female characters-14

4.1 The awakening of Lavinia’s consciousness-14

4.1.1 Awakening of love-14

4.1.2 Awakening of lifelong value-15

4.2 The awakening of Christine’s consciousness-16

5. Limitations of women consciousness-18

5.1 Limitations of Abbie’s consciousness-18

5.2 Limitations of Mary’s consciousness-18

5.3 Limitations of Lavinia’s consciousness-19

6. Conclusion-21