A Study Of The Characters In Jin Yong's Martial Arts Novels

Jin Yong (Louis Cha) is the most popular writer in the Chinese world. It is almost 50 years of Jin Yong's upsurge since 1955 his first martial arts novel Shujian Enchou Lu (Book and Sword) was serialized in the New Evening Post of Hong Kong. Such long lasting and immense impact of a writer certainly cannot be neglected. This thesis tries to use different theories to explore the characters in Jin Yong's martial arts novels as to get a wider view of reading.The theories of tragedy are used to examine the character of Xiao Feng and his aesthetic effect in Tianlong Babu (Demi Gods and Semi Devils). The theories of comedy are used to look into the character Wei Xiaobao and his sarcasm in Ludingji (The Deer and the Cauldron). Karen Horney's psychoanalytic theory is used to dissect the character of Yang Guo, the relationship between his experiences and the character formation in Shendiao Xialu (The Condor Lovers). The semiotic square of Greimas and the axis of metaphor and metonymy of Roman Jakobson are used to explore the different identities of Shi Potian and the inner meaning of Xiakexing. Feminism is used to investigate the women characters in martial arts novels so as to reflect the sex role and status of female nowadays. The abnormal psychology is used to analyze the mental states of the abusers and the abused.