| Acknowledgements | 第1-6页 |
| 摘要 | 第6-7页 |
| Abstract | 第7-10页 |
| Chapter 1 Introduction | 第10-18页 |
| ·Introduction to Willa Cather | 第10-12页 |
| ·Current Studies on Willa Cather | 第12-14页 |
| ·A Survey of Willa Cather's Pioneer Novels | 第14-16页 |
| ·The Purpose of the Thesis | 第16-18页 |
| Chapter 2 The Seeking of the Self | 第18-41页 |
| ·The Opposition to Nature | 第18-25页 |
| ·Alexandra's Frustration in Farming the Barren Land | 第19-22页 |
| ·Antonia's Frustration in Exploring the Harsh Circumstances | 第22-25页 |
| ·The Struggle through Hardship | 第25-37页 |
| ·Alexandra's Acquisition of Land | 第25-31页 |
| ·Antonia's Awakening to Nature | 第31-37页 |
| ·The Achievement in Livelihood | 第37-41页 |
| Chapter 3 The Development of the Self | 第41-64页 |
| ·The Opposition to Society | 第41-52页 |
| ·Alexandra's Frustration with Marital Problems | 第44-48页 |
| ·Antonia's Frustration with Social Bias | 第48-52页 |
| ·The Struggle through Restriction | 第52-61页 |
| ·Alexandra's Revolt | 第52-57页 |
| ·Antonia's Rebellion | 第57-61页 |
| ·The Achievement in Spiritual Search | 第61-64页 |
| Chapter 4 The Fulfillment of the Self | 第64-77页 |
| ·The Realization of Identity-Searching | 第64-67页 |
| ·The Realization of Spiritual Purgation | 第67-70页 |
| ·The Achievement in Self-Growth | 第70-77页 |
| Chapter 5 Conclusion | 第77-83页 |
| Works Cited | 第83-87页 |
| 攻读硕士学位期间发表的论文和取得的科研成果 | 第87页 |
