Abstract

A Dream of Red Mansions ,created by Cao Xueqin in the 18th century, and Jane Eyre, written by Charlotte Bronte in the 19th century, are two monumental works in the field of literary history both at home and abroad. Since coming out, they not only draw a highly attention of numerous literature enthusiasts, but also have a comprehensive and profound impact on subsequent literary writing. Nevertheless, it is the heroines in the two classical novels that impressed us most—Lin Daiyu and Jane Eyre.
Daiyu and Jane have similar life experience but divergent fates. Although they are equally self-respect, unyielding, independent and kindhearted, owing to the differences in their social background, religious beliefs, living surroundings, values and personalities, they end up with diverse destiny—Diayu dies with suppressed resentment and Jane marries her Mr. Right, Rochester.
The paper falls into four parts: the first part briefly introduces A Dream of Red Mansions and Jane Eyre; The second part analyses the similarities and differences of social backgrounds between Daiyu and Jane; The third part helps to discuss their resemblance and divergence in personalities; The last part focuses on their love view— while under identical conception of love, they differ a lot in terms of fates.

Key words: Lin Daiyu; Jane Eyre; characteristics; comparative analysis

摘  要

曹雪芹在十八世纪创作的《红楼梦》和夏洛蒂.勃朗特在十九世纪创作的《简•爱》是中外文学史上两部不朽的著作。两部作品自诞生之日起，不但引起了众多文学爱好者的高度关注，更对后世的文学创作产生了广泛而又深刻的影响。然而，最能打动人心的是两部文学作品中的女主角——林黛玉和简•爱。
林黛玉和简•爱经历相似，命运迥异。两人都自尊自爱，执着独立，温柔善良，但由于各时代背景、宗教信仰、生活环境、价值观念和性格特征的差异，使得两人最终走上了不同的结局——林黛玉香消玉殒，简•爱终成正果,与心上人结婚。
本文共分为四个部分：第一部分简要介绍《红楼梦》和《简•爱》两部文学作品极其创作的时代背景；第二部分比较林黛玉和简•爱所处的社会背景的异同点；第三部分主要分析两人性格特征的异同点；第四部分则主要探讨两人爱情观的异同点——在类似的的爱情追求下，出现了迥异的爱情结局和人生命运。

关键词：林黛玉；简•爱；性格特征；比较分析