Abstract: In view of the historical background of American feminist movement in the early 20th century, the present thesis centers on the construction of feminist awareness in The Jilting of Granny Weatherall and The Chrysanthemums. The female characters portrayed in these two short stories demonstrate visible traits of "New Women" in varying degrees. They are dauntless enough to proclaim independence and crave self-actualization. However, due to the incompleteness of the first wave of feminist movement, they find themselves ultimately powerless to assert themselves in a patriarchal society. Internalization of male discourse, unquestioning obedience toward theocracy and the ultimate denunciation of their feminist pursuits constitute a truer description of women's life in that historic period.