| Acknowledgements | 第1-6页 |
| 摘要 | 第6-7页 |
| Abstract | 第7-10页 |
| Chapter 1 Introduction | 第10-22页 |
| ·An over-all comment on the novel | 第10-13页 |
| ·About the author and her works | 第13-15页 |
| ·Symbolism of the thorn | 第15-16页 |
| ·Symbolism of the thorn birds | 第16-19页 |
| ·The main structure of the thesis | 第19-22页 |
| Chapter 2 Meggie's Sacrifice for Love | 第22-40页 |
| ·Meggie vs. Father Ralph | 第24-32页 |
| ·Meggie vs. Luke | 第32-33页 |
| ·Meggie vs.Dane | 第33-37页 |
| ·Meggie's thorn in her breast | 第37-40页 |
| Chapter 3 Fiona's and Justine's Sacrifice for Love | 第40-59页 |
| ·Fiona | 第40-47页 |
| ·Fiona vs. Frank | 第43-44页 |
| ·Fiona vs. Paddy | 第44-45页 |
| ·Fiona's thorn in her breast | 第45-47页 |
| ·Justine | 第47-51页 |
| ·Justine vs. Dane | 第48-49页 |
| ·Justine's thorn in her breast | 第49-51页 |
| ·The similarity and difference of the women who pursue the thorns | 第51-59页 |
| Chapter 4 Relationship between Men & Women | 第59-77页 |
| ·Influence of male's value orientations on female's fates | 第59-72页 |
| ·Ralph takes ambition as the first place | 第59-64页 |
| ·Luke takes money as the first place | 第64-66页 |
| ·The Cleary brothers take land as the first place | 第66-69页 |
| ·Rainer takes love and career the same | 第69-72页 |
| ·Awakening of female's self-consciousness | 第72-77页 |
| Chapter 5 Conclusion | 第77-83页 |
| Works Cited | 第83-85页 |
| 攻读硕士学位期间发表的论文和取得的科研成果 | 第85页 |
