Contents

Acknowledgments

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Introduction to Willa Cather-1

1.2 Introduction to My Antonia-1

1.3 Research Status of My Antonia-2

1.4 Composition of the Paper-3

Chapter Two Theory of Eco-feminism-4

2.1 Definition of Eco-feminism-4

2.2 Development of Eco-feminism-4

Chapter Three Analysis of My Antonia from the Perspective of Eco-feminism-6

3.1 Nature as the Exploited Object-6

3.2 Men’s Oppression on Women-7

Chapter Four Willa Cather’s Eco-feminism-8

4.1 Harmony between Man and Nature-8

4.2 Harmony between Men and Women-9

Chapter Five Conclusion-10

References-11

Abstract

My Antonia is generally considered as Willa Cather’s most successful novel of the immigrants and has established her fame in American literature. My Antonia is her Nebraska novel series of the most important representative work. Antonia is Cather’s shape of one of the outstanding representatives of women pioneers. 

This thesis aims to explore the relationship between men and women and the relationship between man and nature from the perspective of eco-feminism. It is found that in the patriarchal society, men’s oppression on women and nature as the exploited object by human beings. Willa Cather is a responsible writer and shows her great love to female and nature in her novel. She calls on the equality of sexes and coexistence of man and nature. Her ecological ideas wake reader up to protect the whole ecology, which plays a certain role in promoting the civilization and progress of the human.

Keywords:  Willa Cather; My Antonia; eco-feminism