Discursive Practice Beyond Tradition And Modernity

This dissertation aims to reinterpret Pearl S. Buck’s writing on Earthbound Chinafrom the perspective of reflection on Modernity, based on a close examination ofachievements and shortcomings of existing research. The study not only attempts toprovide a slightly new perspective of understanding Pearl S. Buck’s works, but alsointends to reevaluate Pearl S. Buck. Most preliminary critical studies have beendevoted to Mrs. Buck’s conversion of the image of China and Chinese people, butthey fail to assess the value of such conversion. Therefore, the dissertation focuses onPearl S. Buck’s transgressing of the “tradition/modernity” dichotomy through adetailed analysis of her rediscovery and complex cognition of Earthbound China; soas to reexamine the significance of Mrs. Buck’s works in relation to Modernity, and tomake a reflection on limitation of western Modernity discourse.The dissertation includes three chapters. The first chapter explains Pearl S.Buck’s rediscovery of customs of Earthbound China. This chapter first examines the“otherization” of the third world countries’ customs in the mainstream of westernModernity discourse, together with the narrative impetus and cognitive framework ofsuch “otherization”. The chapter then analyzes Pearl S. Buck’s reinterpretation ofcustoms of Earthbound China, which transgresses the binary opposition of traditionand modernity.The second chapter explores Pearl S. Buck’s subversion of western discourse ofChinese “national character.” This chapter first analyzes the role of western negativenarration of China in the appearance and development of the “national character”discourse in modern China. The chapter then illustrates Pearl S. Buck’s subversion of“national character” discourse through her affirmation of the clan in rural society, herpresentation of subsistence ethics of farmers, and her interpretation of weapons of theweak.The third chapter concerns Pearl S. Buck’s transgressing of feminism discourse.The chapter first analyses the appearance and the initial practice modes of feminism in modern China. The chapter then argues how Pearl S. Buck questions and reflectson feminism discourse by her revealing of Chinese women’s living state in MayFourth period with the old and new ideological confrontation.The dissertation concludes with Pearl S. Buck’s transgressing of the“tradition/modernity” dichotomy and her unique value to reflection on Modernity,while giving prominence to her in the western Modernity discourse.