1. 研究目的与意义（文献综述包含参考文献）

literature review

although there is little dispute about the influence that the short story exerts on the society, scholars study it from different aspects.

1. the themes of the story

2. 研究的基本内容、问题解决措施及方案

methods and procedures of the study

research methods include exemplifying, contrasting and quoting. exemplification will be the major method in the thesis. e.g. status is humble. therefore, examples will be cited to show her low position according to the short story.

contrast is another important method in analyzing the status of the characters of the story. for instance, i am going to compare the status of tessie hutchinson#8217;s and that of other villagers.

the thesis consists of three parts. the first part will primarily provide the background information, including a general introduction of shirley jackson, the short story the lottery, literature review and the purpose of the study. the second part is the focus of the thesis. in this part, the study will firstly give a definition of feminism, and then the development of the theory and the new understanding of the theory now. subsequently, a detailed analysis will be made about the status of the heroine. it will show both the social and economical status of tessie hutchinson. next, the study will further explore the status of her family and present a vivid comparison between the status of the heroine and the other villagers. part three will draw a conclusion, telling the reason of the heroine#8217;s doomed destiny.