ABSTRACT

Yu Lan, a famous children’s story written by Pearl S. Buck creates a common Chinese boy who is brave enough to pursue his dream, love of labor, and interested in learning. Besides，Pearl S. Buck also shows us Yu Lan’s family and an American pilot Jimmy who is familiar with Chinese culture, very kind and willing to help others. From the aspect of educational function, the book has a great influence on readers and even the whole society, considering that it removes the culture prejudice and helps to develop a cross cultural communication consciousness, which is conducive to China-US relations.

Key Words： Pearl S. Buck; Educational Function; Cultural Prejudice; Social Function

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One INTRODUCTION-1

1.1 Research Background of the Study-1

1.2 Significance of the Study-2

1.3 Structure of the Thesis-2

Chapter Two LITERATURE REVIEW-3

2.1 Studies on Pearl S. Buck and Her Works-3

2.2 Studies on Educational Function-4

Chapter Three The Educational Function of Yu Lan-7

3.1 From the Individual Perspective-7

3.1.1 To Learn from Yu Lan-7

3.1.2 To Learn from Yu Lan’s Family-9

3.1.3 To Learn from Jimmy-9

3.2 From the Social Perspective-11

3.2.1 To Help Remove Cultural Prejudice-11

3.2.2 To Help Develop Cross-Cultural Communication Consciousness-12

Chapter Four CONCLUSION-14

WORKS CITED-16