Contents

Acknowledgments

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Toni Morrison-1

1.2 Beloved-1

1.3 Literature Review-1

1.4 Composition of the Paper-2

Chapter Two Theoretical Framework-3

2.1 The Origin and Definition of Gothic-3

2.2 The Emergence and Features of Gothic Novels-3

Chapter Three Gothic Elements of Beloved-5

3.1 Setting-5

3.2 Characterization-6

3.3 Plot-7

Chapter Four Reasons for Applying Gothic in Beloved-9

4.1 Personal Reasons-9

4.2 Cultural and Historical Reasons-9

Chapter Five Conclusion-12

References-13

Abstract

Toni Morrison, an American black novelist, won the Nobel Prize in 1993. Beloved is one of her representative works. The novel mainly tells the story of Beloved, the protagonist of the novel. She was murdered by her mother, then turned into ghost and came back to revenge. Her mother was isolated by the black community. With conscience torment and huge loneliness, she led a painful life. She worked hard to create her dream but ended with murdering her own daughter. With the remarkable use of all kinds of writing skills, Morrison expresses her deep understanding of the black slavery.

This paper mainly analyses the Gothic elements in Beloved and the reasons for applying Gothic elements. The study of Gothic elements in Beloved aims to expose the torment and agony suffered by the Black so as to further understand Morison's thought on human beings that hidden in the text.

Keywords：Toni Morrison  Beloved  Gothic elements