The Exploration Of Cultural Origin And Narrative Rewriting

As the spokeswoman of Chinese American literature, Maxine Hong Kingston published The Women Warrior (1976), China Men (1980), and Tripmaster Monkey (1989). The success of the above novels was not only a milestone which marked her entry into the Chinese American literature history but also the beginning of the entry of Chinese American literature into the American literary mainstream.The reason for the selection of Kingston's three books mentioned above as the research subject is that her novels are filled with a very strong China complex. In reviewing her novels, you may find she portrays Chinese culture with a special narrative skill—rewriting. From the employment of combining reality with illusion to the ingenious metaphors of Chinese ancient characters, from family histories to the skills of oral story-telling, almost all the parts employ Chinese cultural symbols. Kingston's wide use of Chinese customs and traditions, and her further reconstruction of Chinese folklore and myths are the reasons for her great success. Her works strongly demonstrate traditional Oriental culture, and play a role in the communication between the Eastern and Western cultures, which is meaningful for the spread of Chinese culture.Many researchers have found that Kingston used many aspects of Chinese history, myths, and traditional stories as sources for her literary writing and a distinct selectivity of that. In fact, as a Chinese American, Maxine Hong Kingston not only expresses a strong consciousness to search for cultural originality in China, but also rewrites Chinese culture to manifest her originality in America. The thesis aims to analyze the text in order to explore this manifestation, as well as the reasons and the significance for the rewriting and preservation of Chinese culture. This paper consists of five parts, in which the first part and the last part are the introduction and conclusion.Chapter one talks about the manifestation of Chinese culture. In The Women Warrior, China Men, and Tripmaster Monkey, the author closely describes Chinese conventions, custom and myths to attract the attention of Westerners. Moreover, Kingston shows her strong desire to search for her cultural roots and self-identity. Meanwhile, her depictions of the negative aspects of Chinese culture, with regard to superstition, suggest she is different from the Chinese, and reflective of her another self, which belongs to America.Chapter two concentrates on the reconstruction of Chinese culture. Kingston seldom translates Chinese stories literally. Instead, she usually rewrites them according to Western angles and cultural background. Conflicts between the mother and the daughter, the first and the second generation and in fact the archetypes of Eastern and Western cultures, are clearly manifested via her rewriting.Chapter three discusses the reasons and significance of the exploration and reconstruction of Chinese culture. The author of the thesis deems there are three reasons for the reconstruction. Firstly, the author's search for cultural originality and the reconstruction of culture are the result of a cultural hybrid. Secondly, the reason why Kingston introduces her ethnic culture and her ancestors to the Western world is her deep desire to be recognized by Westerners. Finally, she reconstructs the stories in order to satisfy the purpose of integration and harmony of the entire world in terms of culture.Through this conscious and unconscious reconstruction in the novel, it is patently apparent that: the author's search for cultural originality and reconstruction of culture is the result of cultural hybrid. It objectively meets the demand of a cultural communication and hybridism. It can also be taken as a narrative technique the writer employed on purpose to provide global readers a familiar but totally different reading experience, in which Kingston is highly successful. Because of these, her novels have gained both popularity and acclaim.