ABSTRACT

Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) is an outstanding representative of famous and influential female writers in the 20th Century. Apart from a great writer, Virginia is also regarded as a renowned feminist. Her consideration of sexuality, women’ s profession and education are frequently reflected and explored in her works. The Years, which spans over 50 years from 1880s to 1930s, depicts the routine life of the three generations of the Pargiter family. Therefore,the thesis attempts to analyze The Years from the feminist perspective.It paid great attention to the analysis of women’ s status both in private home and public sphere reflected in The Years, and explored Woolf’ s support of feminism movements and reflection on women's problems in the new age. It eventually comes to the conclusion: Woolf displayed that women suffered a lot from the restrictions and oppression in patriarchal society as the Pargiter girls in The Years. With the rising of feminism movements, women’ s status would be changed and they would be granted more rights and freedom. However, there are still some problems of feminism movements in the new age which need to be solved.

Keywords: Virginia Woolf; The Years; Feminism; change of Women’ s situation

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One INTRODUCTION-1

1.1 Research Background-1

1.2 Significance of the Study-2

1.3 Structure of the Study-2

Chapter Two LITERATURE REVIEW-4

2.1 Previous Study Abroad-4

2.2 Previous Study at Home-4

Chapter Three VIRGINIA WOOLF and FEMINISM MOVEMENT-6

3.1 Virginia Woolf’ s Life Experience-6

3.2 Virginia Woolf’ s Feminist Ideas-6

Chapter Four FEMINIST INTERPRETATION OF THE YEARS-8

4.1 Attack on Traditional Female Space Sphere-8

4.2 Attack on Restrictions of Women’ s Education-9

4.3 Support of Feminism Movement-10

4.4 Exposure of the Problems of Feminism Movement-12

Chapter Five CONCLUSION-14

Works Cited-16