| ABSTRACT | 第5页 |
| 摘要 | 第6-7页 |
| Contents | 第7-8页 |
| Chapter 1 Literature Review | 第8-13页 |
| Chapter 2 Brief Introduction to American Naturalism | 第13-19页 |
| 2.1 émile Zola and naturalism | 第13-15页 |
| 2.2 Disillusion of the illusion of “American Dream” | 第15-16页 |
| 2.3 The changed literary climate | 第16-19页 |
| Chapter 3 Pessimistic label of “The Open Boat” | 第19-25页 |
| 3.1 Nature’s indifference to man and man’s insignificance in the universe | 第19-21页 |
| 3.2 Man’s alienation from the universe and absurdity of the universe itself | 第21-22页 |
| 3.3 Nihility of existence and contingency of life | 第22-25页 |
| Chapter 4 Optimism in “The Open Boat” | 第25-44页 |
| 4.1 The interactive relationship between man and nature | 第25-32页 |
| 4.1.1 The subtle compatibility in incompatibility | 第26-30页 |
| 4.1.2 Positive determinism rather than passive fatalism | 第30-32页 |
| 4.2 The intertwined relationship between man and society | 第32-37页 |
| 4.2.1 Man’s cognition of his social property and the significance of his existence | 第32-34页 |
| 4.2.2 From individualism to brotherhood | 第34-37页 |
| 4.3 Comparison between “The Open Boat” and other naturalism novels | 第37-44页 |
| 4.3.1 Maggie, A Girl of the Street and “The Open Boat” | 第38-40页 |
| 4.3.2 The Octopus and “The Open Boat” | 第40-42页 |
| 4.3.3 Sister Carrie and “The Open Boat” | 第42-44页 |
| Chapter 5 Conclusion | 第44-48页 |
| 5.1 Major findings | 第44-45页 |
| 5.2 Significance of this study | 第45-47页 |
| 5.3 Limitations and prospect of the study | 第47-48页 |
| References | 第48-51页 |
