Two Ways Of Self-salvation

Doris Lessing, as the winner of the Nobel Prize for literature in2007, is one of the most prominent writers in contemporary British literature. With multi-genre themes and prolific output, Lessing has long been concerned about the problems on female self-fulfillments. And in the modern society, more women are facing plights, such as loneliness, emptiness, anxiety, insecurity and even mental problems. Studying Lessing’s works is of benefit for women’s development. Doris Lessing also possesses a great talent in psychological description. These distinguished characteristics of Doris Lessing’s inspire readers to study female issues in her novels from the perspective of psychology. The thesis chooses two representative works in Lessing’s different phrases on purpose—The Grass Is Singing and The Diaries of Jane Sommers. Through contrastive study, based on the theories of Rollo May’s existential psychology and post-modern feminism, the thesis explores the reasons why Mary (the heroine in The Grass Is Singing) and Janna (the heroine in The Diaries of Jane Sommers) have different endings in the self-reconstruction.There are four chapters in the thesis. The first chapter introduces the background and aims of the thesis, Doris Lessing and the two novels respectively. The second chapter is literature review. This chapter elaborates upon the definition of female self-reconstruction, post-modern feminism, Rollo May’s existential psychology, current related studies at home and abroad and development trend. The third chapter is the main part in the thesis. Firstly, it analyzes the comparabilities of the two heroines:they own the same background but different endings. Then, it probes into the reasons why the two heroines have entirely different endings. Using the method of contrastive criticism, it explores the reasons from internal and external factors from the perspective of May’s existential psychology and post-modern feminism. The internal factors include:inner state in the plight and handling of the plight. The last chapter is the conclusion with a summary of all the analyses of the previous parts and Lessing’s evolution in feminism. It also summarizes some practical advices for female self-reconstruction in the modern society.The research has both theoretical and realistic significance. With contrastive criticism, the thesis sheds a new perspective to study Lessing and Lessing’s works. And using Rollo May’s existential psychology theory to interpretate Lessing’s work is a new trial. In addition, it is practical and worthwhile to provide some advices for women in the modern society to find the outlet for plight.