| Acknowledgements | 第1-5页 |
| Abstract | 第5-7页 |
| 摘要 | 第7-8页 |
| Contents | 第8-10页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第10-18页 |
| ·Colleen McCullough and the work | 第10-11页 |
| ·Literature review | 第11-14页 |
| ·Central argument and research methodology | 第14-16页 |
| ·Framework of the thesis | 第16-18页 |
| Chapter Two The Embodiment of Fatalism in The Thorn Birds | 第18-38页 |
| ·Fatalism in plot | 第18-28页 |
| ·Fee's life experiences:wallowing in the delusion of love | 第19-22页 |
| ·Meggie's life journey:wandering on the brink of love and sorrow | 第22-26页 |
| ·Justine's life adventure:getting caught in her own trap | 第26-28页 |
| ·Fatalism in characterization | 第28-34页 |
| ·The parallel fate:Frank and Dane | 第28-31页 |
| ·The similar fate:Fee and Meggie | 第31-34页 |
| ·Fatalism in literary techniques | 第34-38页 |
| ·The symbolic images—the fire and the rose | 第34-35页 |
| ·The arrangement of coincidences | 第35-38页 |
| Chapter Three The Purpose of Embodying Fatalism in the Novel | 第38-51页 |
| ·Criticizing the man-centered patriarchal system | 第38-42页 |
| ·Fee's fighting under the man-centered patriarchal system | 第39-40页 |
| ·Meggie's revolting under the man-centered patriarchal system | 第40-42页 |
| ·Criticizing the celibacy of Catholicism | 第42-44页 |
| ·Ralph's struggle between divinity and humanity | 第42-43页 |
| ·Meggie's fight against God | 第43-44页 |
| ·Inspiring the subversion of patriarchal society | 第44-47页 |
| ·Justine's seeking independence in economy | 第45-46页 |
| ·Justine's overthrowing of sexuality | 第46-47页 |
| ·Fatalism and patriarchal society | 第47-51页 |
| ·The formation of writer's fatalistic thought | 第47-49页 |
| ·The connection between fatalism and patriarchy | 第49-51页 |
| Chapter Four Conclusion | 第51-54页 |
| Works cited | 第54-57页 |
| Publications | 第57页 |
