Abstract: Nowadays, even though advocating gender equality is taken for granted as being politically correct, many women suffer from an unfair treatment due to insidious sex discrimination. To trace the roots of the social injustice, this thesis is aimed to find out manifestation of sexism in English literature, including analyzing semantic and pragmatic derogation connoted in female-related words, comparing with male-related words that tend to be commentary or neutral and researching discrimination against women in the use of addresses, idioms and proverbs. In addition, this thesis analyzes plots in English literature that insidiously discriminate against women. These analyzes could hopefully help reveal the universality of sexism. This thesis thus attempts to bring new revelations to help eliminate gender discrimination against women.

Key words: sexism; gender; language; English literature

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. Literature Review-1

3. Brief Overview of Reasons for Sexism-3

3.1 Religion

3.2 Society

3.3 Economy

4. The Manifestation of Sexism in English Literature-4

4.1 Language

4.1.1 Semantic Derogation of Female-related Words

4.1.2 Pragmatic Derogation

4.1.2.1 Address

4.1.2.2 Idioms & Proverbs

4.2 Plot

5. Suggestions on Eliminating Sexism-13

5.1 Eliminating Linguistic Discrimination

5.2 Promoting Social Gender Equality

5.3 Involving Legislation Efforts

6. Conclusion-15

Bibliography-16

Acknowledgements-17