Conflict And Fusion

Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973) is the first American woman who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, and she is considered as both an American and a Chinese. Numerous efforts have been made to explain the mystery of her double identity.The present thesis attempts to focus on the double cultural identity as embodied in The Hidden Flower, a novel by Pearl S. Buck.Roughly, the thesis will be divided into three parts besides an introduction and a conclusion. To begin with, there will be a brief introduction to the author and the aim of the thesis. Then the evolutionary definition of culture as well as cultural identity will be mentioned including the two models for the transformation of cultural identity. The two models are as follows:dominant cultural identity→split cultural identity→reconstruction of cultural identitymarginal cultural identity→hybrid cultural identity→reconstruction of cultural identityThe two models will be combined in the process of analyzing the novel.In the first chapter, the author of the thesis intends to emphasize the marginal cultural identity. Here the dominant culture refers to American culture while other cultures as subcultures or marginal ones. Pearl Buck's case as a person from two worlds is a convincing example of impurity of Americanism. The case of Dr. Sakai and Josui, two characters in The Hidden Flower, will also be included and stressed.In chapter two, the emphasis will be placed on the hybrid cultural identity. In the first place, the hybrid cultural identity will be introduced as a modern misgiving. Besides, the puzzle of double consciousness, especially those of Dr. Sakai and Josui, will be highlighted. Moreover, three pairs of conflicts between the East and the West will be examined related to Dr. Sakai and Josui, Mrs. Kennedy, Allen and the unaccepted Lennie. Some other international marriages in Pearl Buck's stories and novels, like "Repatriated", East Wind: West Wind will also be discussed. In the following chapter, it comes to the last step of the model. As for the reconstruction of cultural identity, the thesis will elaborate the themes of return to the home of spirit and fusion of double identity. In the end, Dr Sakai goes back to Japan; Allen gets reunited with Cathy, and Josui with Kobori. The mention of Josui's brother's departure with an American girl seems a foreshadowing of their return. The novel ends with Dr Steiner's acceptance of the world child Lennie and the enacting of the law for international marriages, which fully exemplifies the fusion of the double identity. The ending is also a successful communication of the East and the West and greatly conforms to Pearl Buck's long-cherished wish.To sum up, Pearl Buck's efforts as a bridge between the civilizations of East and West should not be underestimated. Additionally Pearl Buck's wish for the combination of East and West is embodied in her other novels, which is consistent with the process of globalization in the modern world.