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The Age Of Little Bourgeoisie:a Comparative Study Of Edith Wharton And O. Henry

Posted on:2015-02-20Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:L JinFull Text:PDF
GTID:2255330428468523Subject:English Language and Literature
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
In spite of many researches about O. Henry and Edith Wharton at home or abroad, few analyzed the common points. This paper will compare both of them by analyzing class consciousness, gender consciousness and city images in their works to explore their essence with different surface.Firstly, as a writer from a poor family, O. Henry shared the same class consciousness with Edith Wharton, the non-elite writer from the upper class. They have the same sentimental feelings, sympathies to the lower class, middle road way, which are included in the little bourgeoisie’s consciousness.Moreover, it’s not difficult to find that they have the same female consciousness although they have the different genders. In spite of the different perspectives of the two writers, their works can give us a clear look at the social status and living conditions of both men and women, so as to make us deeply understand the culture and society from the angle of gender consciousness, by exploring the restrictions on women and expressing their viewpoints on women’s freedom, happiness and equality.After studying the above common points, the image of the New York City depicted by both of these writers gradually emerges. While their same little bourgeoisie consciousness made them represent the same class, their differences decide their different observation angles, from inner and outside of the "great gilt cage". Although the two writers showed the city not from the same angle, both of them offered some associated and fragmented view that can be combined together to form a stereo New York City image.
Keywords/Search Tags:O. Henry, Edith Wharton, little bourgeoisie, class consciousness, gender consciousness, city image
PDF Full Text Request
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