Comparison of Independent Female Images in Chinese and American Literature: A Case Study of Jia Tanchun in A Dream of Red Mansions and Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind

Abstract

A Dream of Red Mansions and Gone with the Wind both feature many prominent female characters. Among them, Jia Tanchun in a Dream of Red Mansions and Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind both have independent female thoughts. In spite of different time backgrounds and cultural tradition soil, the characters they portray have certain similarities. Comparing the similarities and differences of their independent thoughts can reveal the influence of social background on the development of feminism. The objective of the study is to make a comparison of these two characters and explore the inner link between the development of feminism and social background.