Abstract: Willa Cather is one of the most famous female writers in the 19th century. Her work, My Antonia, is regarded as one of the most representative “frontier novels” in the U.S.A. Based on the previous studies, this paper studies the novel from the perspective of eco-feminism. It first explores the close relationship between women and nature in terms of their intimacy and their oppressed situation, and then it studies challenges of women and nature to men’s manipulation, and finally it presents the reconstruction of a harmonious world between men and women, mankind and nature manifested in the novel. Hence with men respecting and understanding women and nature, a cooperative and sustainable relationship between men and women, mankind and nature can be achieved and maintained.

Key words: My Antonia; eco-feminism; men and women; mankind and nature

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1．Introduction-1

   1.1 Introduction to Willa Cather and My Antonia-1

   1.2 Previous Studies on My Antonia-2

   1.3 Eco-feminism-4

2．The Close Relationship between Women and Nature in My Antonia-6

    2.1 Women’s Intimacy with Nature-6

      2.1.1 Women’s Closeness to Land and Animals-6

      2.1.2 Women’s Identification with Nature-8

    2.2 Women and Nature Controlled by Men-8

      2.2.1 Oppression of Women by Men-9

      2.2.2 Domination of Nature by Men-11

3．Challenges of Women and Nature to Men’s Manipulation in My Antonia-12

    3.1 Women’s Struggling for Self-fulfillment-12

      3.1.1 Antonia’s Pursuit of Dignity-12

      3.1.2 Other Women’s Fighting for Identity-13

    3.2 Nature’s Revenge on Men-15

4．Reconstruction of a Harmonious World in My Antonia-16

    4.1 Harmony between Men and Women-16

    4.2 Harmony between Mankind and Nature-17

5． Conclusion-18

References-19