Abstract

Alice Munro, the Canadian writer, is known worldwide as the winner of 2013 Nobel Prize in Literature. She is also the recipient of many other literary accolades from all over the English-speaking world. Up to now, she has published 13 short story collections and one novel. Most of her works are set in southern Ontario, focused on exploring ordinary life of people there and centered in female’s perspective.

This thesis is going to analyze loveship and marriage in three short stories from the book Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage. The body explores the background of Alice Munro, the features of loveship and marriage in her works and the difference between man and woman in a relationship. By digging into the details of the plots, the thesis shows readers the features of relationship in Munro’s work in an entirely new aspect.

Keywords: Alice Munro; loveship; marriage; features; difference

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

Introduction-1

1. Alice Munro and her works-1

1.1 The experience of Alice Munro-1

1.2 The literary history of Alice Munro-2

1.3 The relationship between Alice Munro’s works and Canadian culture-2

2. Features of Loveship and Marriage in Alice Munro’s works-3

2.1 Relationship of a Paradox-3

2.1.1 The Conflicts between Loveship and Marriage-3

2.1.2 The Conflicts between Marriage and Temptation-4

2.1.3 The Conflicts between love and Illness-5

2.2 Unpredictability and Risk-6

2.2.1 Accidents-6

2.2.2 The Struggle of Fighting with Illness-7

2.3 Ambiguity of Morality-7

2.3.1 Extramarital relationship-7

2.3.2 May-December relationship-8

3. Difference between man and woman in Relationship-8

3.1 Lives of Women-8

3.1.1 Yearn for self-pursuit-9

3.1.2 Refuse to compromise to life-9

3.2 Lives of Men-9

Conclusion-10

Reference-11