Abstract

William Faulkner, a world renowned literary master, is an eminent representative in southern American literature. In his nearly forty years’ writing career, readers are deeply moved and influenced by his works. A large quantity of scholars are studying about William Faulkner’s works. The researches on him cover many fields, mainly racial discrimination, biblical archetypes, Christian humanism and women’s tragedy. In Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom!, he creates a large number of vivid southern women characters. More significantly, almost every woman in this fiction is suffering a lot and ends in tragedy. These female images have showed people the world they live and also illustrate the profound meaning Faulkner wants to tell people. In 1960s, the feminist perspective opened up a new way in Faulkner’s study. 

Key words: racial discrimination; women character; women’s tragedy; women’s consciousness

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Research Background-1

1.2 Literature Review-2

1.3 Research Significance-2

2. The Tragic Fate of Southern Women Characters in Absalom, Absalom!-4

2.1 Black Women and Mulatto-4

2.2 White Women-5

2.2.1 Ellen Coldfield-5

2.2.2 Rosa Coldfield-6

2.2.3 Judith Sutpen-6

3. Reasons of Women’s Tragic Fate-7

3.1 The Patriarchy Oppression on Women-7

3.1.1 Oppression from Men-7

3.1.2 Women as Tools of Men-7

3.2 The Influence of Puritanism towards Women-8

3.2.1 The Background of Puritanism’s Control in Southern American-8

3.2.2 The Constrains of Puritanism towards Women-8

4. Awakening Consciousness of Women-10

4.1 Women as Rebels of Traditional Oppression-10

4.1.1 Rebel against Racism-10

4.1.2 Rebel against Sexism-11

4.2 Women as Savers of Family-11

5. Conclusion-13

References-14