Abstract：Margaret Atwood is known as “Queen of Canadian Literature”. As a productive writer, she has been awarded numerous rewards. Atwood cares for women’s issues, and most of the protagonists in her works are women. Published in 1981, Bodily Harm is one of the typical examples. This thesis attempts to analyze the novel from the perspective of feminism.

The thesis is divided into four chapters. Chapter one is aimed at introducing Atwood, her novel Bodily Harm and the latest studies about it. Chapter two is about feminism and female’s status in modern society. Chapter three is the backbone of the thesis, specifically analyzing oppressions on women from various aspects and the arousal as well as the resistance of female protagonists. Chapter four is the conclusion, summarizing the main points of the whole thesis.

Key words:  Margaret Atwood  Bodily Harm  feminism  resistance

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 An Introduction to Margaret Atwood-1

1.2 An Introduction to Bodily Harm-2

1.3 Literature Review of Bodily Harm-2

Chapter Two Feminism-5

2.1 A Brief Review of Feminism-5

2.2 Feminism in Modern Life-5

Chapter Three Feminism Embodied in Bodily Harm-7

3.1 Heroines Depicted as Victims-7

3.1.1 Men’s Domination-7

3.1.2 Stereotype Threats from the Patriarchal Society-9

3.1.3 Feelings of Being Intruded-10

3.2 Heroines Depicted as Victors-11

3.2.1 Lora, A Mirror of Rennie-12

3.2.2 Surgery for Breast Cancer-13

Chapter Four Conclusion-15

References-16