Abstract: This thesis is a study of Canadian female writer Alice Munro’s short story collection Runaway, which won the International Booker Prize in 2009. Alice Munro describes in much detail the growing pains experienced by the protagonist Carla of the work. Carla repeatedly runs away from her parents, her husband and her friend, but eventually returns to the start point. This research focuses on three groups of factors contributing to Carla’s escaping: family factors, social factors and personal factors. This paper explores Munro’s universal theme of the inadequacy and dilemma of ladies between their puberty and adulthood and finally concludes that Runaway reveals the author Alice Munro’s keen insight into Canadian young women’s predicaments of helplessness and despair and their self-saving attempts.

Key words: Alice Munro; Runaway; growth; reasons for runaways

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction1

  1.1 Alice Munro and Runaway.1

  1.2 Literature Review.2

2. Cause of Carla’s Growing Pains.4

2.1 Family Factors4

  2.1.1 Family’s Structure.4

  2.1.2 Family’s Economic Condition.5

  2.1.3 Family’s Educational Environment.6

2.2 Social Factors.6

  2.2.1 Cultural Factors.6

  2.2.2 Economic Factors7

2.3 Personal Factors.8

  2.3.1 Dissatisfaction with Real Life and Hopes for Future Life8

  2.3.3 Immature Female Consciousness9

3. Conclusion10

Bibliography.11

Acknowledgements12