Abstract: Jane Austen is one of the most outstanding women writers in the 19th century. She created a new page for female literature. She deeply revealed the phenomenon that in Britain women could only have a low status and conveyed her hope that women should fight for their rights. Actually, this reflected Austen’s rational attitudes for life in her times. Although she had never married, she still expressed her views on marriage by her works. What’s important, almost all her works follow a mode, which is called the “Cinderella mode”. This thesis will study Jane Austen’s use of the “Cinderella mode” by analyzing the plot of Pride and Prejudice.

The first part of this article will make a brief introduction to Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, the “Cinderella mode” and the reason of formation of the “Cinderella mode”. The second part will analyze the inheritance and transcendence of the “Cinderella mode” in Pride and Prejudice. In the third part, by summarizing all the discussion above, we can have a clearer picture about the meaning of Austen’s works and the enlightenment they brought to our modern society.

Keywords:  Jane Austen  the “Cinderella mode”  Pride and Prejudice

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Literature Review-1

1.1 Introduction to Jane Austen-1

1.2 Introduction to Austen’s Six Famous Novels-1

1.3 Present Research on Jane Austen and Her Works-2

Chapter Two Introduction to Pride and Prejudice and “Cinderella Mode”-4

2.1 Introduction to Pride and Prejudice-4

2.2 “Cinderella Mode”-4

Chapter Three Inheritance and Transcendence of “Cinderella Mode”in Pride and Prejudice-6

3.1 Inheritance of “Cinderella Mode”-6

3.1.1 Similar Family Background without Paternal and Maternal Love-6

3.1.2 Inferior Social Status of the Heroine-6

3.1.3 Twisted Road of love-7

3.1.4 Theme-7

3.2 Transcendence of “Cinderella Mode”-8

3.2.1 Different Personality between Elizabeth and Cinderella-8

3.2.2 Feminist Thought behind “Cinderella Mode”-9

3.2.3 Advanced Concept of Marriage-10

Chapter Four Conclusion-11

References-12