Contents

Acknowledgements

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Introduction to Colleen McCullough-1

1.2 Introduction to The Thorn Birds-1

1.3 Literature Review of The Thorn Birds-2

1.4 The Composition of the Thesis-4

Chapter Two Theoretical Basis-5

2.1 Brief Introduction to Feminism-5

   2.2 Feminism in Australia-5

2.2.1 Women’s Situation in Australia-6

2.2.2 Development of Australian Feminism-6

Chapter Three Feminism in the Novel of The Thorn Birds-8

3.1 The Bud of feminism—Fiona-8

3.1.1 Fiona's Subversive Love for Pakeha-8

3.1.2 Ambiguous Love between Fiona and Her Husband Paddy-9

3.1.3 Fiona’s Oppressive Maternity-10

3.2 The Bloom of Feminism—Maggie-12

3.2.1 Maggie’s Forbidden Love for Ralph-12

3.2.2 Maggie’s Separation from Luke-13

3.2.3 Maggie’s Rational Love for Her Children-15

3.3 The Maturity of Feminism—Justine-16

3.3.1 Justine’s Rebellion and Independence-17

3.3.2 Justine’s Free Choice of Profession-18

3.3.3 Justine’s Harmonious Love with Rainer-19

Chapter Four Conclusion-21

References-22

Abstract

The Thorn Birds is a family saga written by a famous Australian author Colleen McCullough. It is known as Australia’s “Gone with the Wind”. Setting in Drogheda ranch, this novel uses the love entanglement of the main characters as plotline to tell the life experiences and emotional courses of three generations in Cleary family with extremely fine brushwork and distinctive narrative structure.

With the development of social economy, women are doubtful of the patriarchal society and long for self-existence as well as independence, completeness and freedom. Based on the feminism theory, this thesis tries to analyze three female images of the three generation in The Thorn Birds to explore the feminist consciousness and elaborate their brave pursuits of love and self-worth in different ways. It also reveals the difficult journey of feminism’s bud, bloom and maturity in a very particular era.

Keywords:  Colleen McCullough  The Thorn Birds  Feminism