| Acknowledgements | 第1-6页 |
| 摘要 | 第6-7页 |
| Abstract | 第7-8页 |
| Table of Contents | 第8-10页 |
| Ⅰ. Introduction | 第10-16页 |
| Ⅱ. Introduction to American Female Bildungsroman | 第16-26页 |
| A. The Male Tradition of Bildungsroman | 第16-19页 |
| B. The Female Bildungsroman in American Literature | 第19-23页 |
| C. McCullers' Inheritance of the Tradition | 第23-26页 |
| Ⅲ. Confusion:Searching for Gendered Identity | 第26-50页 |
| A. Southern Belle as Ideal Femininity | 第28-33页 |
| B. Flight from Feminine Identity | 第33-40页 |
| 1. Frankie's Unconscious Tomboyishness | 第33-37页 |
| 2. Mick's Yearning for Masculine Identity | 第37-40页 |
| C. Searching for Femininity | 第40-50页 |
| 1. Berenice as an "Initiation Guide" for Frankie | 第41-46页 |
| 2. Mick's Seeking of Social Acceptance | 第46-50页 |
| Ⅳ. Transition:Sexuality as "The Rite of Passage" | 第50-79页 |
| A. Changing Physicality | 第52-59页 |
| 1. Frankie's Discarding of Masculine Identifiers | 第53-56页 |
| 2. Mick's Feminine Behavior | 第56-59页 |
| B. Realization of Desires | 第59-71页 |
| 1. Frankie's Sexual Encounters and Wedding Fantasy | 第61-67页 |
| 2. Mick's Sexual Initiation | 第67-71页 |
| C. Disillusionment with Femininity | 第71-79页 |
| 1. Frankie's Passivity in Sexuality | 第73-76页 |
| 2. Mick's Inferiority to Her Male Counterpart | 第76-79页 |
| Ⅴ. Self-Realization:Gaining Maturity | 第79-89页 |
| A. Acceptance of Normative Womanhood | 第80-86页 |
| 1. Frankie's New Companionship | 第81-84页 |
| 2. Mick's Sacrifice for Her Family | 第84-86页 |
| B. The Acquisition of Selhood | 第86-89页 |
| 1. Frankie:The End of the Beginning | 第87-88页 |
| 2. Mick:The Pursuit of Her Dream | 第88-89页 |
| Ⅵ. Conclusion | 第89-91页 |
| Works Cited | 第91-97页 |
