Writing As The Making Of Community

Through the study of The Woman Warrior, China Men and Tripmaster Monkey, the thesis argues that Kingston's writing is to make community among ethnic individuals. The thesis briefly discusses the word "identity", and redefines it as uncertain rather than fixed and stable. Then it points out that Kingston deconstructs gender and racial oppositions by attacking misogynous practice and racial discrimination in dominant society. By studying the figures Kingston creates, the thesis argues that Kingston's model identity is to cross gender and racial boundaries. It explores the vacillant gender identity at both thematic and narrative levels, and studies Kingston's model ethnic identity by examining the interweavement of Chinese and western literary resources in her works. It then points out that in Kingston's mind, a vacillant gender identity and hybrid ethnic identity will finally contribute to universal harmony and peace. Then, the thesis continues to argue that Kingston's ultimate goal is not only to build a new individual identity, but to construct community for individuals to live in harmoniously. The thesis supports the argument by studying the myths Kingston creates in her works. The myths of Fa Mu Lan and Lo Bun Sun are about construction of building community and integration into community. Cho Cho's story and reconciliation among Tai Chung( Dai Zong), Li Kuai (Li Kui) and Mrs. Sun present us two possible results among ethnic groups. The myth of Oath in the Peach Orchid and the marriage of Liu Bei and Lady Sun symbolizes the alliance made among ethnic people. The thoughts that all these myths express are similar to that of Chinese Taoism, which believes in circularity among the opposites, emphasizes harmony between people and nature, and advocates peaceful resolution to solve conflicts. The thesis concludes by emphasizing that Kingston's writing is to form an inclusive community made up of new human beings with new identity. Under the circumstance of fastened migration and globalization, Kingston's consideration of ethnic problem is in time, and her vision to maintain world peace is active and optimistic.