| Abstract in Chinese | 第1-5页 |
| Abstract in English | 第5-9页 |
| Chapter 1 Introduction | 第9-16页 |
| ·Introduction to the Author and His Works | 第9-12页 |
| ·A Brief Introduction to American Pastoral | 第12-13页 |
| ·Previous Scholarships and the Significance of the Research | 第13-16页 |
| Chapter 2 Symbol and Symbolism | 第16-19页 |
| ·The Origin of Symbolism | 第16页 |
| ·The Definition of Symbol | 第16-17页 |
| ·The Definition of Symbolism | 第17-19页 |
| Chapter 3 Symbolism of the Title and the Names of the Characters | 第19-24页 |
| ·The Symbolic Meaning of the Title | 第19-20页 |
| ·The Symbolic Meaning of the Names of the Characters | 第20-24页 |
| ·The Symbolic Meaning of Seymour | 第21页 |
| ·The Symbolic Meaning of Dawn | 第21-22页 |
| ·The Symbolic Meaning of Merry | 第22-24页 |
| Chapter 4 Symbolism in the Search for American Dream | 第24-38页 |
| ·Symbols in the Construction of Seymour’s American Dream | 第24-31页 |
| ·The gloves--a Pursuit of a Warm, Steady and Prosperous Family | 第24-27页 |
| ·The Stone House in Old Rimrock--Desire to be a Part of the Mainstream Society | 第27-29页 |
| ·The Marriage with Dawn-- Desire to be Assimilated into American Life | 第29页 |
| ·The Story of Apple Seeds--Love for the American Society | 第29-31页 |
| ·Symbols in the Fading of Seymour’s American Dream | 第31-34页 |
| ·Merry’s Stuttering--Initial Conflict in the Sweet Family | 第31-33页 |
| ·Merry’s Odd Temper--Dissatisfaction with Family and Society | 第33-34页 |
| ·Symbols in the Falling through of Seymour’s American Dream | 第34-38页 |
| ·Merry’s Bombing--a Sudden and Fatal Blow to Seymour | 第34-36页 |
| ·Dawn’s Betrayal of Seymour--a Shake of the Firm Love | 第36-38页 |
| Chapter 5 Conclusion | 第38-39页 |
| Bibliography | 第39-41页 |
| Publications during the Postgraduate Program | 第41-42页 |
| Acknowledgements | 第42-43页 |
