Abstract

    Dreiser is one pioneer of modern American fiction as well as naturalistic writer. In recent years, many scholars have conducted studies on Jennie Gerhardt , but few interpret Jennie’s doomed life in three aspects--- society, family and character and relevant causes, which is the focus of this thesis.
Jennie is in the patriarchal society where man-dominance decides that her social status is lower so that she has to rely on men for a living. As a traditional woman, Jennie becomes the mistress of two men for the sake of her families, which accord with the man-centered societal values in the patriarchic society. Secondly, her father Gerhardt enjoys absolute authority and power in the home and his wife and children must obey him. Meanwhile, the family misfortune prompts her to sacrifice herself again and again for the survival of the whole family, which leads to the tragedy of her life. In terms of personality traits, for one thing, she is so feeble that she easily resigns herself to adversity and for another, she is materialistic and hateful for a poor life, thus causing her to be a doomed drifter. In addition, Dreiser's own tragic consciousness influences the tragic life of Jennie. Thus, we comprehend the causes and necessity of Jennie’s tragic life as well as writing theme and practical significance in Dreiser’s work.
Finally, the author hopes that this thesis can inspire scholars to study Jennie Gerhardt from a new angle. What’s more, it helps readers comprehend Dreiser’s real understanding of the America society as well as enlightens females to seek economic independence and self-independence in this modern society.

Key words: Jennie Gerhardt   drifted life   society   family  character    naturalistic belief                    
 
摘要

德莱塞是美国现代小说的先驱、现实主义作家之一。近年来，学者们对《珍妮姑娘》这部小说中的主题和女主人公形象均做了大量研究，但很少有人从社会、家庭和人物性格以及相关因素进行研究，这也是本文的重点。
珍妮姑娘处于父系社会,男权占主导地位，这就决定了其社会地位不如男子，所以就要依靠他们而活。作为传统女性，珍妮姑娘为了家庭先后成为两个男人的情妇，这符合父系社会男性中心的社会价值观。其次，其父老葛哈德在家里享有绝对权威和话语权，妻子和孩子必须服从于他。与此同时，家庭不幸迫使珍妮一次又一次地为了整个家庭的生存牺牲自己，从而导致人生悲剧。就性格特征来说，珍妮姑娘软弱，逆来顺受，对贫穷的憎恨以及对物质生活的强烈欲望，导致她悲剧的人生。此外，作者自身的悲剧意识也影响着对珍妮悲剧一生的塑造。由此，我们得知了珍妮姑娘悲剧一生的缘由以及必然性，也得以了解德莱塞的写作主题以及作品传达的现实意义。
最后，作者希望该文能够启发学者们从新的角度研究《珍妮姑娘》，另外，该文所揭示的社会现状亦能帮助读者们更好理解德莱塞作为一名自然主义者对美国社会的真实反映，并启发更多当代女性寻求经济独立及自我独立。

关键词：珍妮姑娘   漂泊的人生  父系社会  家庭   人物性格    悲剧意识