| 中文摘要 | 第1-4页 |
| 英文摘要 | 第4-7页 |
| Acknowledgement | 第7-9页 |
| Part One: Introduction | 第9-22页 |
| SectionⅠ: General Background of Joyce Carol Oates | 第9-11页 |
| SectionⅡ: Intellectual Influence to Joyce Carol Oates | 第11-16页 |
| SectionⅢ: Oates's Theory of Art | 第16-22页 |
| Part Two: The Themes and Protagonists of them | 第22-50页 |
| SectionⅠ: Introduction to Oates's Masterpiece—them | 第22-27页 |
| SectionⅡ: Theme One: Women As Victims of Social and Economic Forces （Character Portrayal of Mother—Lorreta and Daughter—Maureen） | 第27-35页 |
| SectionⅢ: Theme Two: Violence in the City （Character Portrayal of Son—Jules） | 第35-44页 |
| SectionⅣ: Theme Three: The Tragic Loss of Community in the City | 第44-50页 |
| Part Three: Conclusion | 第50-53页 |
| Notes | 第53-56页 |
| Bibliography | 第56-57页 |
