Dilemma And Salvation Of Modern Intellectual Women In Margaret Drabble’s Works

Margaret Drabble is regarded as one of the most influential and prolific woman writers in contemporary English literature and enjoys a high reputation in academic circles. Although many critics study her works abroad, little research has been carried out on her in China. This thesis chooses Drabble’s three novels, A Summer Bird-Cage (1963), The Millstone (1965), Jerusalem the Golden (1967) to explore the dilemmas of modern intellectual women, look into the causes and try to find ways of salvation.Different from the traditional women, modern intellectual women are representatives of new generation, who are longing for new life, independent space and self-identification. Unfortunately, they encounter conflicts between family and career, changing relationship within the family and conflict of inner self. On the way out of these dilemmas, which are caused by social causes, historical factor and personal reason, they fall into contemplation and make great efforts to struggle in modern society. In order to seek the possibilities of salvation, Drabble finds three ways to achieve salvation:firstly, the establishment of female subjectivity; secondly, breaking through tradition and modernity; thirdly, the pursuit of self-realization.Through her novels, Drabble portraits a series of intelligent, independent and decisive images of modern intellectual women, which exhibits a true and comprehensive world about modern intellectual women. They always hold personality charm and make wise choice for their fate in changing society. These images can inspire modern women on how to deal with their lives, and have important social and practical significance.