Abstract

Sister Carrie, as one of Theodore Dreiser’s most famous works, drawing its material from the real society, presents the American life during the period from the late 19th century to early 20th century when America shifted fast from an agricultural society to an industrial society. 

This thesis analyses nature and females in the novel. Both of them are in a submissive position in the patriarchal society, but the two are not defenseless. The relationships between male, nature and female are also made clear. A conclusion that androcentrism and anthropocentrism are the resource of ecological and female crisis is thus made. And the root of androcentrism and anthropocentrism is the man-made hierarchy and hegemony system. To reach for a better society, the three elements should be complementary mutually. The importance of nature and female should be reevaluated.

Keywords: Eco-feminism; androcentrism; anthropocentrism; male; female; nature

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

Chapter 1 Introduction-5

1.1 Literature Reviews-5

1.2 Thesis Statement-7

1.3 Thesis Structure-8

Chapter 2 Eco-feminism-9

2.1 Definition of Eco-feminism-9

2.2 Eco-feminism in Literature-9

Chapter 3 Nature in Sister Carrie-10

3.1 Deterioration of Nature-10

3.2 The Violation of Nature-10

Chapter 4 Female in Sister Carrie-12

4.1 Female as a Commodity-12

4.1.1 Carrie: A Trophy of Male’s World-12

4.1.2 Minnie: A Maid of Family-13

4.1.3 Mrs. Hurstwood: A Sign of Male’s Decency-13

4.2 Carrie’s Dependence on Three Men-14

4.3 The Rebellion of Female-15

4.3.1 The Rise of Carrie-15

4.3.2 The Decline of Hurstwood-17

Chapter 5 Eco-feminism in Sister Carrie-18

5.1 Similar Status in the Patriarchal Society-18

5.2 Harmony of Nature and Female-18

5.2.1 The Symbolic Links between Nature and Female-18

5.2.2 The Experiential Links between Nature and Female-19

Chapter 6 Conclusion-21

References