Masculinity In China Contemporary Literature And Mass Culture

This dissertation discusses the shaping of dominant masculinity by social norms of different periods., with the purpose to support the analysis of the cultural signs and representations of different periods'masculinitys and the function of a set of norm, discourse and authority behind them. The analysis paradigm of this dissertation is based on "social constructivist approach". Seen from historical venation, the cultural construction of masculinity is various. From the revolutionary hero of 1950s and 1960s to the reformation hero, he - man of 1980, and then to the wealth hero and successful people of 1990s and the beginning of 21st century, this process of production of cultural signs shows the turn and vicissitude of Chinas social values'orient in more than a half century. A leading and dominant masculine figure would be shaped in every social and historical turning stage. Social historical vicissitude, modulation of political system, reformation of economic system, turning of social structure, all these significant factor will change the masculinity as well as the applicatory mode and connotation of it in different periods. Conversely, the cultural indication practices of masculinity of each period, as a sort of social figurative form and characterization as well as a sort of interventionist cultural productivity, participate deeply in the processes of social history and the contemporary social structure recombination of China. The cultural construction of masculinity is a sort of historical process and category, and it takes on diachronism, openness and progressiveness as its characteristics.In more than twenty years after the founding of PRC, the heroic figures in " novels of revolutionary history" persistently flourished and illustrated the following aspects as mythos of revolutionary creation of new world, the validity of communist power, the counterwork against imperialism, national education and the instruction of next generation, etc. and meanwhile persuaded, inspirited and regulated peoples' belief of them. They greatly consolidated and strengthened the order of political authority, social life and ideology. In the literature and social discourses of 1980s, the historical errands of given periods would always be rested on a big man or he - man, whether it was in the adieux of history or the facing of tomorrow. And...