ABSTRACT

Katherine Anne Porter is one of the most outstanding American women writers and her reputation is established on her short stories. Her fictions are usually considered to be unique in style and profound in theme. She has not only been recognized in America, but also won great reputation around the world. Most of her stories are based on her own life and most of the protagonists in her works are women. This paper focuses on Porter’s female consciousness in the stories of “Old Mortality”, “The Old Order”, “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall”, “Flowering Judas” and “Pale Horse Pale Rider”. Women are brave to fight against traditional views and seek the female independence.

Keywords：Katherine Anne Porter; female consciousness; self-growth; self-transcendence

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One INTRODUCTION-1

1.1 Brief Introduction of Porter and Her Works-1

1.2 Literature Review-2

1.3 The Significance of This Paper-4

Chapter Two VAGUE FEMALE CONSCIOUSNESS -5

2.1 Granny Weatherall’s Emotional Trauma-5

2.2 Grandmother’s Interpretation of Marriage-6

2.3 Miranda’s Dream of a Southern Belle-7

Chapter Three STRUGGLE AGAINST TRADITION -9

3.1 Amy’s Revolt-9

3.2 Eva’s Revolt-10

3.3 Miranda’s Revolt-11

Chapter Four PURSUIT FOR INDENPENDENT PERSONALITY -13

4.1 Laura’s Self-realization-13

4.2 Miranda’s Self-realization-14

Chapter Five CONCLUSION-17

WORKS CITED-19