An Eco-feminist Approach To My (?)ntonia

My (A|')ntonia is one of the most representative "frontier novels" and the most celebrated novels by Willa Cather, an outstanding woman of letters in the gallery of American literature. The spunky, fortitudinous heroine (A|')ntonia, the boundless Nebraska prairie and the struggle of the immigrants in the frontier all greatly impress the reader. During the latest decades, the novel has become a canon and the research object of many scholars from diversified aspects.This thesis attempts to interpret My (A|')ntonia from the ecofeminist perspective by analyzing the text in detail. Ecofeminism, a movement with joint efforts of Deep Ecology and feminism, articulates the theory that the ideologies that authorize injustices based on gender, race, and class are related to the ideologies that sanction the exploitation and degradation of the environment. Its application to literary writing and criticism appeals to many considerate writers and critics who are concerned about the coexistence of mankind and nature as well as the equality between men and women.The thesis consists of six parts: the introduction, four chapters and the conclusion.In the introduction, a brief survey of Willa Cather is made, on her life, her works and her status in the history of literature. Also the significance and innovation of this thesis are illustrated.Chapter One is the literature review on My (A|')ntonia, in which the novel is briefly introduced and the previous critical studies from various perspectives on this novel are summarized.Chapter Two is the theoretical foundation of the whole analysis. Ecofeminism, both as a movement and as a literary theory, is explained in detail. Besides, Cather's ecological consciousness deriving from her early life is succinctly illustrated.The third chapter is the most important part of this thesis, in which a thorough textual analysis from the ecofeminist approach is conducted. The themes, the setting and the characterization are respectively probed.