| D -H- Lawrence (1885-1930) and Ailing Zhang (1920-1995) are writers of peculiar characters respectively in the history of Modern English and Chinese literature. Two of their masterpieces, Sons and Lovers by the former and The Golden Cangue by the latter, are widely read and generally appreciated for their feminist concerns. The heroines of the novels, Gertrude (Mrs. Morel) and Qiqiao (Mrs. Jiang), have much in common in spite of their apparent dissimilarities: both of them change from innocent and romantic girls to abnormal mothers under the pressures imposed upon them by the unlucky marriage and the hostile society. This thesis is to draw a comparison between the two unfortunate women with an attempt to demonstrate the personal and social factors leading to their abnormalities and, at the same time, expose their rebel consciousness against the man-dominated society.This thesis consists of six chapters under the following titles: 1) Introduction; 2) Ailing Zhang and D- H- Lawrence: similarities out of apparent dissimilarities; 3) Gertrude and Qiqiao: from innocent and romantic girls to abnormal mothers; 4) Different cultures, but similar rebel consciousness; 5) Personal and social factors leading to the abnormality; and 6) Conclusion. After a brief introduction to the initiation of the present study in the first chapter, the second chapter presents the similarities out of apparent dissimilarities between D- H ?Lawrence and Ailing Zhang, including the similarities in their family background, social background, life experiences, attitudes towards the reality and methods of presenting female characters. Chapters 3-5 make comparisons between the two heroines of Sons and Lovers and The Golden Cangue, with an attempt to reveal their rebel consciousness against the fate and look into the personal and social factors that decide their destinies. In closing, this thesis asserts that the women's role in the family and the society has to be improved if a harmonious and peaceful society is expected.
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