Transcript Postwar Taiwan Fiction

Introduction to Postwar Taiwan Fiction
Unit 9:
The Arrival of Modernism
Lecturer:
Richard Rong-bin Chen,
PhD of Comparative Literature.
Unless noted, the course materials are licensed under Creative Commons
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Taiwan (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) 1
The Focuses of Modernism
• Literary techniques
• Closely related to Western literature and
culture
•
•
•
•
Exploration of the protagonists’ inner world
Age of transformation
Concerns personal and family problems
Politically detached, as opposed to AntiCommunist and Nativist-realist literature
2
The Jiaozhou Bay in Shandong Province
3
Where the Story of May
th
4 Movement Began
• 1898: Jiaozhou Bay was leased to the
German Empire by the Qing government
for 99 years.
• The First World War: Japan declared war
on Germany in September 1914, taking
the German concessions in Shandong in
only two months.
4
• 1919: the Paris Peace Conference decided
to transfer the rights of German Empire to
Japan.
• May 4th, 1919: infuriated by the decision,
the students of Beijing University called
for a grand gathering at the Tienanmen
Square, more than 3000 students attended.
5
Protestors from Beijing University at the May Fourth
Movement, dissatisfied with the Treaty of Versailles
for China.
6
A group of students gathered and burned Japanese
goods on the campus of Tsinghua University.
7
Hu Shi (1891-1962)
8
http://tupian.hudong.com/a1_03
_07_0130000024202412215607
3410204_jpg.html?prd=zhengw
enye_left_neirong_tupian
The cover of the
first issue of The
Renaissance [新潮,
literally, New Tide]
As interpreted by Hu
Shi, the movement
9
According Hu Shi [胡適], one of the most
prominent Chinese scholar in the 20th century and
a leading figure of the movement, as it was argued
in one of his lectures delivered in Chicago
University in 1933, the movement had a diversity
of aspects:
First, it was a conscious movement to promote a
new literature in the living language of the people to
take the place of the classical literature of old.
Second, it was a movement of conscious protest
against many of the ideas and institutions in the
traditional culture, and of conscious emancipation
of the individual man and woman from the bondage
of force of tradition. (p.300)
Source: (2001). Milena Dolĕzelová-Velingerová and Oldřich Král (Eds.),
The appropriation of cultural capital : China's May Fourth Project,
Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Asia Center : Distributed by Harvard University Press
10
It was a movement of reason versus
tradition, freedom versus authority, and
glorification of life and human values
versus their suppression. And lastly,
strange enough, this new movement was
led by men who knew their culture heritage
and tried to study it with the new
methodology of modern historical criticism
and research. In that sense it was a
humanist movement. (p.300)
Source: (2001). Milena Dolĕzelová-Velingerová and Oldřich Král (Eds.),
The appropriation of cultural capital : China's May Fourth Project,
Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Asia Center : Distributed by Harvard University Press
11
• The Effects of the Movement
• Boosted the self-awareness among
the Chinese people, especially the
students and laborers.
• The establishment of CCP.
12
• The more modern values, such as
democracy and science, were brought
to the table and given more attention.
• Imperialism and feudalism were met
with great opposition in China,
nationalism emphasized.
• The new vernacular literature got
wider circulation and publicity.
13
“Declaration of the Tienanmen
Grand Gathering”:
• “China’s land may be conquered, but it can
never be given up; Chinese people may be
killed, but they can never be subjugated!”
• (中國的土地可以征服而不可以斷送！中國
的人民可以殺戮而不可以低頭！)
• Another Famous Slogan
• “Struggle for the sovereignty externally, get rid
of the national traitors at home!”
• (外爭國權，內懲國賊)
14
From Beida to Taida:
The Heritage of the May Fourth Movement
15
The late president of
NTU, Fu Ssu-nien
(1896-1950)
16
• A renown historian and linguist
• One of the founders of The Renaissance
• One of the student leaders of the May
Fourth Movement
• Acting president of Beijing University
(1945-46)
• The fifth president of NTU (1949-1950)
17
Source: This work is from
Wikipeida
http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/
File:National_Taiwan_Univ
ersity_logo.jpg, but the
original source is from
National Taiwan
University
It is used subject to the fair
use doctrine of:
•Articles 52 & 65 of Taiwan
Copyright Act.
National Taiwan University
18
Source: This work is from
National Taiwan University
Library, Gallery of University
History
http://gallery.lib.ntu.edu.tw/arch
ives/452
It is used subject to the fair use
doctrine of:
•Articles 52 & 65 of Taiwan
Copyright Act.
•National Taiwan University
Library Terms of Use:
http://photo.lib.ntu.edu.tw/pic/i
mage_new/manual.htm
National Taiwan University Library,
Gallery of University History
The Statue of President Fu
19
The Motto of NTU
• Cultivate virtue, advance intellect;
love one's country, love one's people
• (敦品勵學，愛國愛人)
• Virtue: the moral values of freedom
and democracy
20
• Intellect: rationality and science
• Love one’s country: nationalism
• Love one’s people: humanitarianism
• NTU students should be the inheritors and
practitioners of the spirit of May 4th
Movement
21
The Relationship between the May 4th Movement
and Protect Diaoyutai Islands Movement?
“China’s land may be conquered, but it can
never be given up; Chinese people may be
killed, but they can never be subjugated!”
22
The Similarities
• Anti-Japanese
• Student Activism
• Stood up for the integrity of
Chinese territory
• Nationalism
23
Winter Nights
• Wen-chou street.
• An old house, not well decorated
and furnished.
• Bald head.
• Lame right leg.
• Professor Yü Chin-lei’s past
heroism left no trace
24
The Contrast of Characters
• Yü Chin-lei: a professor teaching
Byron in NTU
• Wu Chu-kuo: a professor teaching
history of Tang and Sung in University
of California, a “deserter”
25
• Chia I-sheng: a professor, tripped on a
shallow gutter and died, with a ill wife
staying in the hospital, without enough
money being left behind to pay for his
funeral
• Lu Chung: a professor teaching
philosophy in Beijing University
• Let a Hundred Flowers Bloom [百花齊放]
• History of Chinese Philosophy
26
Shao Tzu-chi: a government official of
ROC
Chen Hsiung: a great traitor who had been
executed
27
The Contrast of Wives
• Idealism and Romanticism in the past vs.
Difficult realities in the present
• Ya-hsing: beauty queen of a normal
university in Beijing, had died years ago
• ”Romeo and Juliette”
• The unnamed second wife: went to a
neighbor’s house for playing mahjong
• not even interested in meeting Wu Chukuo
28
Yü: an expert of Byron, some cantos of Don
Juan remained unfinished in 7 or 8 years
How Byron’s romanticism could be related
to Yü’s life?
Ever since the day Professor Yü chastised his wife
in extreme ill-humor, no one had ventured to touch
even a single stray page in that pile-up in the sittingroom. Some time before, his wife had taken his books
out to air and lost his notes on Byron’s poems, which
he had left between the pages of an Oxford edition of
the poet’s works. He had written these notes when he
was teaching at Peking University more than twenty
years ago and they continued the fruits of long study
Source: Pai Hsien-yung. (1976).
Joseph S. M. Lau (Ed.),
and reflection. (p.338)
Chinese stories from Taiwan, 1960-1970,
29
New York : Columbia University Press
The three events of student activism
• The May Fourth Movement in 1919
• Let a Hundred Flowers Bloom in the 1950s
• The Student activism in the US in the late 1960s
• Pai Hsien-yung started to teach Chinese
language and literature in UC Santa Barbara in
1965, just in time for the scene of activism on
university campuses.
30
The Convention held in San Francisco
The words from a Harvard graduate
His conclusion:
Thus began the long period of their spiritual exile:
some threw themselves into totalitarianism; some
retreated and took refuge in their tattered tradition;
some fled abroad and became wise hermits concerned
only with themselves. Thus what started as a
revolutionary movement disintegrated and change its
nature. Then he concluded: ‘Some Chinese scholars
like to compare the May Fourth Movement to a
Chinese Renaissance. But I consider it, at best, to be
Source: Pai Hsien-yung. (1976).
a cultural abortion!’ (p.346)
Joseph S. M. Lau (Ed.),
Chinese stories from Taiwan, 1960-1970,
New York : Columbia University Press
31
The Dialogue with Chün-yen
Science as an ideal of progress and
rationality vs. science as a career
“Uncle Wu, is it easy to get a fellowship in Physics
at the University of California?” Chün-yen asked
with interest.
“ Well…” Wu Chu-kuo hesitated a moment. “I’m not
too up on that. Of course, there is more financial
aid in the sciences then in the humanities.”
“Is it true that the Physics Department often spends
more than half a million dollars on one single
experiment?” Chün-yen’s youthful face gleamed
Pai Hsien-yung. (1976).
with envy.(p.351) Source:
Joseph S. M. Lau (Ed.),
Chinese stories from Taiwan, 1960-1970,
New York : Columbia University Press
32
“ America is a very rich country, after all ,”
Wu Chu-kuo responded. Chün-yen stood
there for a while, then excused himself.
Watching the retreating figure of his son,
Professor Yü whispered, “Every young man
nowadays dreams of going abroad to study
science or engineering.”
“Yes, that’s the trend, that’s the trend.”
“We went all out for ‘Mr. Science’ in our
time, didn’t we? Now look what science doesit’s almost snatched away our rice-bowl!”
(p.351)
Source: Pai Hsien-yung. (1976).
Joseph S. M. Lau (Ed.),
Chinese stories from Taiwan, 1960-1970,
New York : Columbia University Press
33
Wang Wen-hsing (1939-)
• A native of Fukien Province.
• Graduate of the Department of Foreign
Languages and Literatures, NTU.
• Co-founder of Modern Literature.
• Acquired his master’s degree from University
of Iowa in 1965.
• Had taught in NTU for 40 years before
retired in 2005.
34
Works by Wang Wen-hsing
• Two story collections in the late 60s and
early 70s.
• ”The Flaw” (1964).
• Family Catastrophe (1973).
• Back Against the Sea, Vol. 1 (1981)
• Back Against the Sea, Vol. 2 (1999)
35
Elements in “The Flaw”
• Wang’s Childhood in Tung-an Street.
• First love.
• Awakening in an 11-year-old teenager.
• Urban development and change.
• The ugliness behind something so beautiful.
• What does the title mean?
36
This work is licensed by 王文興 for the use of “Course Database of General Education TW” ONLY.
The copyright belongs to the above mentioned entity and GET does not have the authorization right.
Copyright privileges have to be negotiated with the copyright owner(s) for separately.
37
http://yearbook.taipei.gov.tw/f
p.asp?fpage=cp&xItem=5618
1&ctNode=5831&mp=100038
38
Idyllic Description of the
residential area
Tung-an Street was a quit little alley, with
less than a hundred families along its entire
length. Slightly curved around its middle, the
street stretched all the way to the great gray
river at the end. Actually, viewed form the
vantage point of the river bank, there were very
few pedestrians on the street, which, with its
polish body and meandering path, was virtually
a small river itself. (p.15)
Source: Wang Wen-hsing. (1976).
Joseph S. M. Lau (Ed.),
Chinese stories from Taiwan, 1960-1970,
New York : Columbia University Press
39
Such was the tranquil picture when
I was eleven; later, as small cars were
allowed to pass through the street,
the atmosphere of quiet seclusion
was lost altogether. My present
reminiscences hark back to the era
before the arrival of the cars.(p.15)
Source: Wang Wen-hsing. (1976).
Joseph S. M. Lau (Ed.),
Chinese stories from Taiwan, 1960-1970,
New York : Columbia University Press
40
The three-storied house
It was at a time when Taipei, still
untouched by affluence, was just beginning
to prosper, and a number of three-storied
buildings could be seen cropping up here
and there. Ever since the previous winter,
we children had been watching with
interest the construction of such a building
on the vacant lot in front of our houses.
(p.16)
Source: Wang Wen-hsing. (1976).
Joseph S. M. Lau (Ed.),
Chinese stories from Taiwan, 1960-1970,
New York : Columbia University Press
41
Our feelings were excitement mingled
with sadness; we were excited because, as
children, we felt an immense satisfaction
with all novel experiences- new sights, new
sounds, new objects, new undertakings-and
sad because we were losing our favorite
playground for after-school ball games.
(p.16)
Source: Wang Wen-hsing. (1976).
Joseph S. M. Lau (Ed.),
Chinese stories from Taiwan, 1960-1970,
New York : Columbia University Press
42
The Flaw.
I had undergone enough minor suffering
to be able to devise a means of avoiding
pain. That was : if you happened to form an
emotional attachment to a certain thing or a
certain person, the best thing to do was to
immediately look for a fault therein, upon
which you would then be able to withhold
your affection and thus lighten the
burden.(p.17)
Source: Wang Wen-hsing. (1976).
Joseph S. M. Lau (Ed.),
Chinese stories from Taiwan, 1960-1970,
New York : Columbia University Press
43
During the next few day, I often concealed
myself directly opposite her shop and
scrutinized her with cold detachment, in an
effort to discover some ugliness in her. But
the longer I watched, the more beautiful
she seemed. I realized then that love had so
deeply embedded itself that there was no
way of uprooting it. I would have to live
with it.(p.17)
Source: Wang Wen-hsing. (1976).
Joseph S. M. Lau (Ed.),
Chinese stories from Taiwan, 1960-1970,
New York : Columbia University Press
44
Copyright Declaration
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Wikipedia Joowwww
http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:China_Shandong.svg
2012/05/03 visited
6
Wikipeida: Author Unknown
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:May_Fourth.jpg
2012/05/03 visited
7
Wikipedia Tsinghua University
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Burn_Japanese_goods,_Tsinghua_School,_
1919.jpg
2012/05/03 visited
8
Wikipeida: Author Unknown
http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hu_Shih_1960_color.jpg
2012/05/03 visited
10
First, it was a conscious
movement… bondage of
force of tradition.
(2001). Milena Dolĕzelová-Velingerová and Oldřich Král (Eds.), The
appropriation of cultural capital : China's May Fourth Project,
(p.300)Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Asia Center : Distributed by
Harvard University Press. It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of:
•Articles 52 & 65 of Taiwan Copyright Act.
11
It was a movement of
reason versus … was a
humanist movement.
(2001). Milena Dolĕzelová-Velingerová and Oldřich Král(Eds.),
The appropriation of cultural capital : China's May Fourth Project,
(p.300)Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Asia Center : Distributed by
Harvard University Press. It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of:
45
•Articles 52 & 65 of Taiwan Copyright Act.
Copyright Declaration
Page
Work
Licensing
Author/Source
16
Wikipedia Chakra
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fu_Ssu-nien.jpg
2012/05/03 visited
18
This work is from Wikipeida
http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:National_Taiwan_University_logo.jpg, but
the original source is from National Taiwan University
It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of:
•Articles 52 & 65 of Taiwan Copyright Act.
19
This work is from National Taiwan University Library, Gallery of
University History http://gallery.lib.ntu.edu.tw/archives/452
It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of:
•Articles 52 & 65 of Taiwan Copyright Act.
•National Taiwan University Library Terms of Use:
http://photo.lib.ntu.edu.tw/pic/image_new/manual.htm
30
Ever since the day
Professor Yü
chastised …long study
and reflection.
Pai Hsien-yung. (1976). Winter Nights. Joseph S. M. Lau (Ed.), Chinese
stories from Taiwan, 1960-1970, (p.228) New York : Columbia University
Press. It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of:
•Articles 52 & 65 of Taiwan Copyright Act.
32
Thus began the long
period of …to be a
cultural abortion!’
Pai Hsien-yung. (1976). Winter Nights. Joseph S. M. Lau (Ed.), Chinese
stories from Taiwan, 1960-1970, (p.346) New York : Columbia University
Press.It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of:
•Articles 52 & 65 of Taiwan Copyright Act.
33
“Uncle Wu, is it easy to
get … face gleamed
with envy.
Pai Hsien-yung. (1976). Winter Nights. Joseph S. M. Lau (Ed.), Chinese
stories from Taiwan, 1960-1970, (p.351) New York : Columbia University
Press. It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of:
•Articles 52 & 65 of Taiwan Copyright Act.
46
Copyright Declaration
Page
Work
34
America is a very …it’s
almost snatched away
our rice-bowl!”
Licensing
Author/Source
Pai Hsien-yung. (1976). Winter Nights. Joseph S. M. Lau (Ed.), Chinese
stories from Taiwan, 1960-1970, (p.351) New York : Columbia University
Press. It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of:
•Articles 52 & 65 of Taiwan Copyright Act.
This work is licensed by 王文興 for the use of “Course Database of General
Education TW” ONLY. The copyright belongs to the above mentioned entity
and GET does not have the authorization right. Copyright privileges have to
be negotiated with the copyright owner(s) for separately.
38
40
Tung-an Street was a
quit little
alley , …virtually a
small river itself.
Wang Wen-hsing. (1976). Flaw. Joseph S. M. Lau (Ed.), Chinese stories from
Taiwan, 1960-1970, (p.15) New York : Columbia University Press.
It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of:
•Articles 52 & 65 of Taiwan Copyright Act.
41
Such was the tranquil
picture when …the
arrival of the cars.
Wang Wen-hsing. (1976). Flaw. Joseph S. M. Lau (Ed.), Chinese stories from
Taiwan, 1960-1970, (p.15) New York : Columbia University Press.
It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of:
•Articles 52 & 65 of Taiwan Copyright Act.
42
It was at a time
when …lot in front of
our houses.
Wang Wen-hsing. (1976). Flaw. Joseph S. M. Lau (Ed.), Chinese stories from
Taiwan, 1960-1970, (p.16) New York : Columbia University Press.
It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of:
•Articles 52 & 65 of Taiwan Copyright Act.
43
Our feelings were
excitement … for afterschool ball games.
Wang Wen-hsing. (1976). Flaw. Joseph S. M. Lau (Ed.), Chinese stories from
Taiwan, 1960-1970, (p.16) New York : Columbia University Press
It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of:
•Articles 52 & 65 of Taiwan Copyright Act.
47
Copyright Declaration
Page
44
45
Work
Licensing
Author/Source
I had undergone enough
minor suffering
to…affection and thus
lighten the burden
Wang Wen-hsing. (1976). Flaw
Joseph S. M. Lau (Ed.),
Chinese stories from Taiwan, 1960-1970,
(p.17) New York : Columbia University Press
It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of:
•Articles 52 & 65 of Taiwan Copyright Act.
During the next few day,
I often …it. I would
have to live with it.
Wang Wen-hsing. (1976). Flaw
Joseph S. M. Lau (Ed.),
Chinese stories from Taiwan, 1960-1970,
(p.17) New York : Columbia University Press
It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of:
•Articles 52 & 65 of Taiwan Copyright Act.
48