| Acknowledgements | 第5-6页 |
| 摘要 | 第6-7页 |
| Abstract | 第7页 |
| Contents | 第8-10页 |
| Introduction | 第10-20页 |
| 1 Background | 第10-12页 |
| 2 Literature review | 第12-18页 |
| 3 Outline | 第18-20页 |
| Chapter 1 Silence as Resistance to Oppression and Repression | 第20-29页 |
| 1.1 Resistance against oppression: opposing imposed identity | 第20-23页 |
| 1.2 Resistance against repression: an anti-language versus dominant discourse | 第23-29页 |
| Chapter 2 Silence as a Rhetoric Device in Fictions | 第29-50页 |
| 2.1 Silence as a metaphoric device in naming | 第33-38页 |
| 2.2 Silence as a structural device in blues writings | 第38-50页 |
| 2.2.1 Music and Afro-American culture | 第38-40页 |
| 2.2.2 Blues and Afro-American literary writings | 第40-50页 |
| 2.2.2.1 Blues in "Homewood trilogy" | 第41-45页 |
| 2.2.2.2 Silence in "Homewood trilogy" | 第45-50页 |
| Chapter 3 Silence as a Medium to Reach Self and God | 第50-66页 |
| 3.1 Silence: apathto self and soul | 第50-60页 |
| 3.1.1 Solitude and silence: a state of examining self | 第51-56页 |
| 3.1.2 Silence: a shield against lies | 第56-60页 |
| 3.1.2.1 Silence to shelter the cherished | 第57-59页 |
| 3.1.2.2 Silence to pass over the unspeakable | 第59-60页 |
| 3.2 Silence: a medium to God | 第60-66页 |
| 3.2.1 Word and God | 第61-62页 |
| 3.2.2 Silence and God | 第62-66页 |
| 3.2.2.1 The silence of Orion | 第62-64页 |
| 3.2.2.2 The silence of Freeda | 第64-66页 |
| Conclusion | 第66-70页 |
| 1 Summary | 第66-68页 |
| 2 Limitation | 第68-69页 |
| 3 Outlook | 第69-70页 |
| References | 第70-74页 |
