| ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS | 第1-11页 |
| ABSTRACT | 第11-12页 |
| 摘要 | 第12-15页 |
| CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION | 第15-21页 |
| ·Edith Wharton and Her Literary Creation | 第15-17页 |
| ·The House of Mirth | 第17-19页 |
| ·Thesis Structure | 第19-21页 |
| CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW | 第21-30页 |
| ·Studies Abroad | 第21-26页 |
| ·Naturalistic Studies | 第21-22页 |
| ·Feminist Studies | 第22-24页 |
| ·Psychological Studies and Other Interpretations | 第24-26页 |
| ·Studies at Home | 第26-30页 |
| ·Naturalistic Studies | 第26-27页 |
| ·Feminist Studies | 第27-28页 |
| ·Psychological Studies | 第28-30页 |
| CHAPTER III EXISTENTIALISM | 第30-37页 |
| ·Absurdity | 第31-33页 |
| ·Alienation | 第33-35页 |
| ·Authentic Existence | 第35-37页 |
| CHAPTER IV ABSURDITY OF LILY’S LIFE IN THE HOUSE OF MIRTH | 第37-50页 |
| ·Absurdity of the High Society Lily Lives in | 第37-43页 |
| ·Overemphasis of Money | 第37-41页 |
| ·Addiction to Pleasure-seeking | 第41-43页 |
| ·Absurdity in Lily Bart’s Clinging to the High Society | 第43-50页 |
| ·Lily’s Embarrassing Financial Situation | 第44-46页 |
| ·Lily’s Unceasing Efforts to Marry a Wealthy Man | 第46-50页 |
| CHAPTER V ALIENATION OF LILY IN THE HOUSE OF MIRTH | 第50-67页 |
| ·Lily’s Alienation in Her Interpersonal Relations | 第50-61页 |
| ·Alienation between Lily and Her Family Members | 第50-53页 |
| ·Alienation between Lily and Her Rich Female Friends | 第53-55页 |
| ·Alienation between Lily and Her Possible Lovers | 第55-61页 |
| ·Lily’s Alienation from Her Authentic Self | 第61-67页 |
| ·Lily’s Desire for Being Her Self | 第61-64页 |
| ·Lily’s Sense of Alienation | 第64-67页 |
| CHAPTER VI LILY’S STRUGGLE FOR AN AUTHENTIC EXISTENCE | 第67-74页 |
| ·Refusing Temptations from the Upper Class | 第67-69页 |
| ·Trying to Live an Independent Life | 第69-71页 |
| ·Committing Suicide | 第71-74页 |
| CHAPTER VII CONCLUSION | 第74-76页 |
| WORKS CITED | 第76-80页 |
