Abstract

The Yellow Wallpaper is written by Charlotte P. Gillman, a celebrated   American authoress and feminist pioneer. Part of the feminist movement, this short story voices a woman’s aspiration for freedom and independence in the male-dominated society. A Madman's Diary is a short story published in 1918 by the Chinese author Lu Xun that can be read as an irony of traditional Chinese feudalism declining in a period known as the New Culture Movement .

Although The Yellow Wallpaper and A Madman's Diary were written in different countries with contrasted cultural tradition, Gillman and Lu Xun coincidentally adopted the similar narrative technique for the depiction of a mad and revolting protagonist. Both authors use their novels as a critique of social darkness and highlight an awakening sense of freedom. This thesis analyses and studies the images of the two mad figures, exploring the literary mechanism for the mad images portrayed through a first–person narration in contrasted social and cultural context.

Keywords: madness; tragedy; symbolism; feminism；anti-feudalism

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1.Introduction-1

2. Literature Review-2

3.Cultural and Philosophical Background-3

3.1 China in the era of englightenment-3

3.2 Awakening of feminist awareness-4

4.Analysis of the Depiction of Madness in Both Works-5

4.1Prototypes of mad images-5

4.2 Diary as the narrative form-6

4.3 Use of symbolism-7

4.4 Existential approach to the mad images-8

5.Rationality Behind Madness-10

5.1 Interpretations of Insanity-10

5.2 Restoration of Sanity-11

6. Conclusion-12

Works Cited-13