Abstract:Known as “Queen of Canadian Literature”, Margaret Atwood is one of the most talented female writers in Canada. Her works are featured with intertextuality. Moreover, she is good at applying parody to her works. Parody is a writing skill. During the time of writing, a writer creates a new work by way of the ironic imitation of the source text to show respect, tease or to attack the source text or criticize the society. On the basis of previous researches, the thesis is going to make a detailed analysis of parody used in Lady Oracle exploring how the author makes a parody of traditional Gothic elements to highlight the theme of the novel.

This thesis is made up of four chapters. Chapter one is an introduction to Margaret Atwood, Lady Oracle and literature review. Chapter two focuses on the definition, development and features of parody. Chapter three analyses the Gothic elements in Lady Oracle, and how does the author parody the elements deftly. Chapter four makes a conclusion of this thesis.

Key words: Margaret Atwood  Lady Oracle  Parody  Gothic elements 

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Introduction to Margaret Atwood-1

1.2 Introduction to Lady Oracle-1

1.3 Literature Review-2

Chapter Two Theory of Parody-4

2.1 Definition of Parody-4

2.2 Development of Parody-4

2.3 Features of Parody-5

Chapter Three Parody of Gothic Elements in Lady Oracle-7

3.1 Inheritance of Gothic Elements-7

3.1.1 Gothic Plot-7

3.1.2 Threat of Male Violence-8

3.1.3 Loss of Identity-8

3.1.4 Supernatural Events-9

3.2 Subversion of Gothic Elements-10

3.2.1 Subversion of the Traditional Ending-10

3.3.2 Subversion of Binary Stereotypes of Gothic Characterization-11

Chapter Four Conclusion-13

References-14