Abstract: William Faulkner is one of the most important writers in American Southern literature. The novel The Sound and the Fury is his most important and favorite work. This novel based on traditional culture and historical background in the southern United States, describes the wane of the Compson family. This thesis attempts to analyze the Southern Belle Image in The Sound and the Fury from feminist criticism. Mrs.Compson, Caddy and Quentin are the three most important female characters in the novel. We can see the women’s live status and their struggles with fates in the old southern America from these three female characters. Southern Belle Image caused great harms to women and even impeded the healthy development of women’s nature.

Key words: Southern Belle Image; women’s nature; feminist criticism

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction.1

1.1 Introduction to William Faulkner and His Works   

1.2 Literature Review 

2. The Influences of Traditional Southern Belle Image on the Fate of Different Female Characters 3 

2.1 Characteristics of the Traditional Southern Belle Image

2.1.1 Puritanical Female Virtues

2.1.2 Taking Responsibility for Family

2.2 Women Devastated by the Southern Belle Image

2.2.1 Mrs.Compson：An Observer of Southern Belle Image

2.2.1.1 A Typical Southern Belle Image

2.2.1.2 Her Tragedy Caused by Southern Belle Culture 

2.2.2 Caddy and Quentin：Rebels of Southern Belle Image

2.2.2.1 Their Attempt to Shake off the Fetters

2.2.2.2 Their Failure of Rebellion

2.3 Southern Belle Image as a Repression of Women’s Nature

3.  Conclusion10

Bibliography.11

Acknowledgements12