1. 研究目的与意义（文献综述）

intention: the intention of this paper is to explore the similarities and differences between two cultures which seems to be irrelevant, in addition, the literary significance of the two images in literature and the possibility of their coexistence or penetration will also be analyzed.

gentleman and cowboy are two representative images in traditional english and american culture, and they are seldom connected together. the existence of gentleman and cowboy can be traced back to very ancient time, but the spirits of them have been integrated in their people’s heart, even though people nowadays won’t attach too much importance to those old-fashioned spirits. there are good qualities of gentleman and cowboy transformed into current civilization, and those good qualities will be found out, in order to explore the similarities between gentleman and cowboy.

in fact, in western countries, a large number of people still spare no attempt to do research on gentleman culture and cowboy culture. relative literature and movies can be found ubiquitously, that is to say, the spirits of gentleman and cowboy have influenced people for generations. as for china, we might find some books or papers talking about gentleman or cowboy in order to make contrast with some kind of ancient chinese culture. anyway, no matter in which country, gentleman and cowboy are not in unpopular demand.

2. 研究的基本内容与方案

content: the general content of my paper is to discuss the definition or features of gentleman and cowboy at first, of course their appearing background will be introduced. then, i’ll talk about the gentleman tom jones in the book tom jones and the cowboy in the virginian, and their experiences as well as characteristics will be compared. according to the two novels i chose, some other typical gentlemen or cowboys in literature will be mentioned to generalize the differences and similarities between them. the qualities or features of gentleman and cowboy in modern western people’s values will be discussed.

goal: my goal is to dig out more or deeper in the process of my observation, and of course, to complete my primitive intention firstly.

techniques or method of my study:

3. 研究计划与安排

before 20th january : settlement of the title

before20th march: submission of the outline

before 25th april : submission of the first draft

4. 参考文献（12篇以上）

[1]梁瑞玲. 牛仔形象与美国边疆精神 ——解析欧文#8226;威斯特小说《弗吉尼亚人》[m]. 中国, 2009.
[2] 郭玲. 威斯特《弗吉尼亚人》中的牛仔形象研究[d]. 中国, 2014.

[3]edwin, harrison, cady. the gentleman in america: a literary study in american culture[m]. syracuse, ny: syracuse univ. press, 1949.

[4]payne,darwin.owen wister:chronicler of the west,gentleman of the east. 1985.