Abstract

This thesis creatively compares the two women characters, Nora in A Doll’s House and Lu Shiping in Thunderstorm, who are seldom put side by side for comparison. Both similarities and differences are found and discussed between the two characters and the reasons for their similarities and differences are identified. The comparison of the two characters is carried out in three aspects- attitudes to their husbands, to their children, and to marriage-family dilemmas. And the reasons for their similarities and differences are analyzed in terms of their social backgrounds, their family backgrounds and their character's dramatic functions. The study shows that both characters are good wives and loving mothers who face marriage-family dilemmas and always submit to the authority of their husbands. Besides, they both have the rebellious spirit but their resistance is bounded. The main difference between them lies in their different ways of resistance when they are in marriage-family dilemmas.

Keywords: comparative analysis; Nora in A Doll’s House; Lu Shiping in Thunderstorm

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Overview of Nora in A Doll’s House-1

1.2 Overview of Lu Shiping in Thunderstorm-1

2. Literature review-3

2.1 Previous studies on the character of Nora-3

2.2 Previous studies on the character of Lu Shiping-3

3. Comparisons between Nora and Lu Shiping-4

3.1 Attitudes to their husbands-4

3.2 Attitudes to their children-5

3.3 Attitudes to marriage-family dilemmas-7

3.3.1 Dilemmas they face-7

3.3.2 Rebellious spirits-8

3.3.3 Different ways of resistance-9

3.3.4 The limitations of their resistance-9

3.4 Summary of their similarities and differences-10

4. The reasons for their similarities and differences-11

4.1 The reasons for their similarities-11

4.1.1 Social backgrounds-11

4.1.2 Family backgrounds-11

4.1.3 Characters' dramatic functions-12

4.2 The reasons for their differences-12

4.2.1 Social backgrounds-12

4.2.2 Family backgrounds-13

4.2.3 Characters' dramatic functions-13

5. Conclusion-15

References-16