Abstract: This paper, taking the weaknesses in humanity, namely the lust for power, material desire and sexual passion as the core, conducts an analysis of the characters’ act of choice in Colleen McCullough’s The Thorn Bird. Ralph’s love affairs with Meggie could have ended in happiness but for his single-minded pursuit for power. His vacillating between desire and divinity pushes Meggie to the brink of abyss. As Meggie’s husband, Luke’s irresponsibility for his family and his abnormal passion for money reveal the ugliness of human nature. His greed ruins himself and the family as well. Neither a traditional good wife nor a responsible mother, Meggie’s inextricably bogging down in the abnormal romance with Ralph even after she married Luke results in the difficulties of the family and the negative side to her daughter’s character. The paper concludes that the weakness in our nature is the thorn which penetrates our bodies, causing the pitiful tragic ending in an indirect way.

Key words: The Thorn Birds ; humanity; weaknesses

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction1

1.1 Introduction to Colleen McCullough

1.2 Introduction to The Thorn Birds

1.3 Literature Review

2. Weaknesses of Humanity in The Thorn Birds4

2.1 Vacillating between desire and divinity

2.2 A slave to money

2.3 Conniving in Romantic Entanglements 

3. Conclusion7

Bibliography.9

Acknowledgements..10