From The Other To The Singer

The Woman Warrior:Memories of a Girlhood among Ghosts,the award-winning and representative work,and also the first published work by Maxine Hong Kingston,holds an important position in the circle of American Contemporary literature.As a classic work in the field of multi-culturalism,it has been paid close attention to in terms of sex,race and minority. It also invites criticism of all aspects.However,up to now comprehensive studies exploring the different women characters and the existence condition and subject consciousness are not very common.Based on the theories of feminism and post colonialism as well as a close study on the six women characters in The Woman Warrior,this thesis unveils the process during which the Chinese American women have maintained themselves and struggled in the modern patriarchal society as well as in American society and provides a reference for the overall woman emancipation.First,Kingston reproduces an image of voiceless resistance against patriarchal society via two tragic characters,"No Name Woman" and "Moon Orchid". Although persecuted and tortured mercilessly,they wake up from a long-term aphasia and begin self-articulation.Next,Kingston challenges the patriarchal society via two legendary character of androgyny,"Hua Mu lan" and "Mother" to eradicate sexual confrontation. Eventually,Maxine Hong Kingston manifests a perfect condition for a female being,i.e.,an active participation in both sex and different culture.Through an analysis into the women characters,we may conclude that Kingston finds an ultimate solution for woman emancipation.First,as a diachronical existence,women have evolved from "the other",then to "androgyny" and finally to an open "singer".Their existence tends to be a process of consistent changes and openings.Besides,as a synchronical existence,whether as an "other," "androgyny" or a "singer",women are closely correlated with everything around her.It definitely involves the participation of men and other things.In all,the perfection of female existence will ultimately enhance the overall progress of human society.