Abstract

Bliss, written by Katherine Mansfield, a New Zealand renowned female writer in the early 20th century, is regarded as a classic short story. This thesis focuses on how symbolic effects are achieved through studying three types of symbols concerning female spiritual shackles, female emotional world and female miserable marriage respectively. From the female perspective, these symbols also reflect women’s desire for freedom, independence and happiness, and then help to foster a sound philosophy of life and value of marriage.

Key words:  Bliss, Symbolism, Feminism

摘 要

《幸福》是20世纪初新西兰著名女作家凯瑟琳•曼斯菲尔德的经典之作。立足于女性精神枷锁，情感世界，婚姻悲剧三方面意象的研究，本文试图剖析《幸福》中象征主义写作手法的作用，进而以“女性主义”视角揭示男权主导的时代背景下女性渴望自由、独立、幸福的意识觉醒。启示人们树立正确的价值观及婚姻观。

关键词：《幸福》；象征主义；女性主义

1.    Introduction
Born in New Zealand, Katherine Mansfield (1888-1923) is widely recognized as one of the top female short fiction writers. In 1908, she left for England alone to pursue her writing career. From then on, Mansfield produced a multitude of classic works which pushed her onto the apex of the literary world. Suffering from tuberculosis, Katherine Mansfield died at Fontainebleau, France, in 1923.
    In spite of the short life span, Mansfield enjoyed a permanent literary reputation as the world short fiction master. She assumed an essential and significant role in the movement of British Modernism. Her success of promoting the development of short fictions has been widely taken for granted. The theme of Mansfield’s stories mainly focuses on subtle and sensitive feelings of inside world. Having been translated into many languages, the works of Mansfield are widely read and studied in the world. She is “among the very few writers in English to establish a reputation entirely on the basis of the short story form” (Clare 87). Her unique role in British literature is undeniable. Her best friend, Virginia Woolf, also admitted “I was jealous of her writing. The only writing I have ever been jealous of” (Clare 96). In addition, her contemporaries, such as Thomas Hardy, T.S. Eliot, D.H. Lawrence, all gave a high praise of her works.