An Analysis Of Women Images In Hemingway’s Short Stories From The Feminist Perspective

Ernest Miller Hemingway, the typical representative of American post-war literature in the 20th century, as well as the spokesman of the Lost Generation, has a far-reaching influence on American literature in 20th century until today. His concise and direct writing style, thought-provoking iceberg principle, and numerous code heroes he created establish his place in world literature. In his whole life, Hemingway produces a great number of popular novels and short stories, and finally in 1954, he won the Nobel Prize in literature for The Old Man and the Sea. With hunting, fishing, boxing and bull fighting as the usual theme, Hemingway is considered by many people as a male chauvinist. A lot of critics state Hemingway is not skilled in depicting women images. However, as a creative writer, living in a transitional period of old and new culture, he transcends the male centralism to some extent due to the diverse theme of his creation, beginning to explore the inner world of women based on the family influence and personal experience.Through the overall analysis of women images in Hemingway’s short stories from the feminist perspective, this thesis shows his sympathy to the traditional women and exploration to the new women. As the representative in different stages of the feminist movement, the description of four women images is combined with the development of the feminism, reflecting the characteristics of the times and the evolution of the feminism.By depicting the women images in his works, Hemingway mirrors his feminist viewpoint, that is, advocating gender equality, supporting the feminist movement, admiring the new women images and exploring a harmonious gender relationship between men and women. That is the stage characteristics of the feminist development. Hemingway’s works promote the spread and evolution of the feminism, having the enlightment significance.The exploration of feminism has a realistic significance in the modern society. This world is still male-dominated, in the long run, women should equip themselves with new technology and wisdom to pursue equality and realize self-fulfillment.The innovation point is the integration of the feminist development and the women images in Hemingway’s short stories. Through the analysis of the women images, the thesis highlights the basic characteristics of different historical stages of feminism.Combined with the current society, it explores the practical significance of feminism, that is, promoting the women’s self-cultivation, keeping a harmonious family relationship, involving the social life to strive for and maintain the female rights.