On Chili's Fiction

It has been 22 years since Chi Li started her career as a novelist with the publication of her short story Youthful Days in 1979. She became known, however, in 1987, with the publication of A Life Full of Troubles. Afterward she published many more works. Chi Li has been popular with the general reading public for her detailed presentation of the ordinary people. Her works sell well and attracts millions of readers. She is regarded as one of the representative writers of the neo-realist group.My thesis consists of two parts, Text Analysis and Chi Li Criticism, by which I attempt to have an overall evaluation of her fiction.Part One focuses on text analysis. By such analysis the most noteworthy features of Chi Li's works are revealed. The author of this thesis holds that Chi Li's early works tend to pursue a "fresh poetic life." From the mid-80s to mid-90s, in a series of works including A Life Full of Troubles, she presented the true life of the ordinary citizens in minute details. Thus "intoning the troubles of life " became the motif of her works. From the mid-90s up until now, while maintaining her interest in the life of the "small potatoes," she began to take an interest in their inner world. Political awareness began to diminish in her novels of historical matter and she tried to interpret the individual behaviors in the context of rationality of existence hi the course of historical evolution. Her works dealing with love are still strongly worldly, with a female consciousness of material gains in life.On the basis of Part One, I made a rational evaluation of Chi Li's works in part Two. In Section One, I pointed out that she assumed the stance and perspective of the common citizens. In Sections II, III and IV I made an in-depth analysis of her success. Her particular experience and background, her understanding and regard for a life full of troubles, her correct apprehension of herself and the times, are important factors contributing to her success.Chi Li has always focused on writing about the life of the ordinary people. Her works are not of high artistic accomplishment. She has won wide acclaim as well as harsh criticism from the critical circles. In the 5th section of my thesis her shortcomings are discussed on the basis of previous comments.