ABSTRACT

 Peony written by Pearl Buck , describes conflict and fusion of different culture among the family members resulting from different religious belief and cultural background in the light of what a maid servant living in the Jewish family witnessed and thought. David’s mother, Naomi, is incompatible with the surrounding people, even her son and husband for defending Judaism. On the basis of the previous study, the thesis will make a specific analysis of the three main characters’ cultural identity and background by the combination of cross-cultural communication theory and explore their conflict with each other. Furthermore, Pearl Buck’s life experiences and view of cross-cultural marriage is discussed so as to analyze the significance and intention of her creation of Peony.

Key words：Cross-cultural Marriage; Cultural Identity; Conflict; Peony; Pearl Buck

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One  INTRODUCTION-1

1.1 Background-1

1.2 Significance of the study-2

1.3 The organization of the thesis-2

Chapter Two   LITERATURE REVIEW-3

2.1 Previous studies of Peony-4

2.2 Former studies of cross-cultural marriage-5

Chapter Three Cultural IDENTITY AND THEIR VIEW OF CROSS-CULTURAL MARRIAGE IN PEONY-8

3.1 David-8

3.2 Madame Ezra-9

3.3 Ezra-11

Chapter Four  CONCLUSION-13

REFERENCES-14