Abstract: This study aims to discover the irreplaceable status and role of the novel The Member of the Wedding in the development of female Bildungsroman through a comprehensive analysis and tries to provide a new angle to interpret the novel. At the same time, through the analysis of the heroine's psychological growth process, the study shows that the novel reflects a problem still worth pondering in modern society— the lonely and alienation between people. The author points out that this novel fully meets four basic characteristics of the female Bildungsroman by a comparative analysis from the four aspects of content, character, structure and theme. Furthermore, the paper proves that The Member of the Wedding is not only a novel of initiation, but also a typical female Bildungsroman.

Key words: female Bildungsroman;The Member of the Wedding; basic characteristics 

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction1

  1.1 Introduction to Carson McCullers and Her Works

  1.2 Current Research on The Member of the Wedding

2. Literature Review and Theoretical Framework.3

  2.1 Definition of Female Bildungsroman

2.2 A Historical Development of Female Bildungsroman

3. The Member of the Wedding, A Typical Female Bildungsroman.6

  3.1 Frankie’s Growth

    3.1.1 The Phase of Her Puzzle in Female Identity 

    3.1.2 The Phase of Her Struggle in Self-Identity

3.1.3 The Phase of Her Awakening and Maturity

  3.2 Autobiographical Components: An Essential Feature 

    3.2.1 Similar Living Environment

    3.2.2 Similar Childhood Experience

    3.2.3 Similar Personalities

  3.3 The Necessary Triad of Characters in Female Bildungsroman

3.3.1 The Protagonist: Frankie

3.3.2 The Initiation Guides: Berenice Sadie Brown

    3.3.3 The Initiation Companions: John Henry West and Marry Littlejohn

  3.4From Puzzlement to Realization: Typical Plot Pattern of Female Bildungsroman

4. Conclusion12

Bibliography.13

Acknowledgements..14