Abstract

Though Tess and Hester lived in different eras and backgrounds, their destinies had many similarities in some aspects. This dissertation is based on the comparison of tragic destinies of Tess, the heroine of Tess of the D’Urbervilles, as well as that of Hester, the heroine of The Scarlet Letter. This dissertation puts much emphasis on the causes of their tragedies, the factor of male chauvinism in particular. What’s more, the similarities and differences of their tragedies under the background of male chauvinism will be analyzed in detail in order to reveal the complicated causes of their tragedies. The dissertation is aimed at analyzing the bad effects of male chauvinism on female.

Keywords : male chauvinism; similarities; differences; causes; tragedies; female;

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1.Introduction1

2.Male Chauvinism 1

3.Differences Between Tess’ and Hester’s Tragic Destinies in terms of Male

Chauvinism2

3.1 Different attitudes towards frustrations3

3.2 Courage to conquer the tribulations3

3.3 Distinctive endings4

4.Similarities Between Tess’ and Hester’s Tragic Destinies in terms of  Male  Chauvinism5

4.1 Unfair treatment of women5

4.2 Cowardice of their lover7

4.3 Religious Persecution 7

5. Conclusion8

References