AnalysisofEllen’scharacerinheageofinnocence_开题报告

A.Literature Review

Edith Wharton is a famous American female writer in the late 19th century who as one of the most influential female writers.The age of innocence is her masterpiece which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1921.The novel is set in the New York upper classes between the 1870s and 1880s,it describes the emotional entanglement between Newland Archer, May Welland and Ellen Olenska.Based on her own experience and social background, Wharton created Ellen as a new female image who dare to confrontation the patriarchal society and pursuit freedom and equality.

   Some researchers reflect Ellen's character from the comparison between May and Ellen.Li Shanshan (2015) pointed out that Ellen was deeply influenced by European free thought. When she first returned to New York, her dress and behavior did not conform to the traditional standards of New York upper class society, forming a sharp contrast with May's perfect image, which made her suffer a lot of controversy.The author also points out that the different of view of marriage with Ellen and May's. Under the influence of traditional ideology, May is rely on marriage deeply. And Ellen is calm and independent, firmly fighting against the old social thought. She has a free mind and personality, but she is still under strong suppression and becomes the victim of patriarchal society.And LI Bian,LANG Ting-ting (2014) also compares the May and Ellen’s choices to reflect Ellen's character.They conclude that May is traditional good girl who meet the requirements of the upper class.But she’s beautiful is vacant.Ellen is beautiful "new woman" who has pursuit.Hu Xuemei (2010) points out that the psychological world of May and Ellen is different.May's character is a symbol of superego,She performed perfectly under the traditional constraints of old New York, and suppressed her original impulse.May's character is a symbol of id,She did not conform to the norms of traditional society and dared to fight against the restrictions on women in the upper class.Ellen's behavior was completely comply with her real thought, so she often violated the norms of old New York.

Another framework applied is feminism and patriarchal society to reflect Ellen’s character.Feng tan (2018) proposes the Ellen's character is mainly influenced by the feminist movement.The author pointed out that due to the influence of industrial revolution,American economy develops rapidly. Some female demand social equality and identity, they have the pursuit of the self-consciousness. Ellen is a typical female under this influence who shows a strong sense of self and a spirit of resistance.And Qu Rongying (2015) observes that the women 's characteristics in a patriarchal society.Although Ellen's pursuit of freedom,but she has no financial resources.So she only can be an accessory of the patriarchal society.Ellen suffered a lot of exclusion under the pressure of the traditional high society. At last she gave up the idea of divorce.The author conclude that although Ellen has a strong sense of independence and resistance but she still unable to confrontation the prevailing patriarchal society.Yuan yuan (2016) points out that Ellen is an independent and brave new woman.She has both the perceptual female characteristics and the rational male characteristics.The author observed that when Ellen discussing her divorce with Archer, she showed the female characteristics.When she she realized that her actions would hurt May.she showed the male characteristics.The author thinks that Ellen is a vivid perfect female image

In sum, all the above studies have put forward valuable ideas about the Ellen’s character from different perspectives. However, there seems to be a lack of in-depth and detailed analysis of Ellen's character.I hope that through a more detailed analysis of Ellen's behavior characteristics and personality performance to reflect Ellen's personality characteristics.

B.Outline 

1 Introduction

1.1 Introduction to Edith Wharton

1.2 Introduction to The Age of Innocence

2 Literature Review

2.1 Research Status of The Age of Innocence

3 Ellen's character image  

3.1 Causes of Ellen's character

3.1.1 Social Background

3.1.2 Personal Experiences

3.2 Embodiment of character of Ellen

3.2.1 The image construction of Ellen

3.2.2 The analysis of Ellen's discourse

3.2.3 Ellen Olenska’s Pursuit

4. Conclusion

5. References

C. References

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