Bi Shumin Novel Prototype Figure Theory

In the literary world of contemporary era, Bi Shumin's experience is very peculiar, which helps her create vivid characters of different areas. These characters not only deliver the ideas and hopes of the author but also demonstrate the uniqueness about the author's image-building. Through the analysis of the data which study Bi Shumin, we know that the researches on the characters in her novels are not sufficient. The analysis of her characters from the perspective of Prototype Theory is even less. Thus, this thesis analyzes her characters from the perspective of Mythological Archetype.The thesis is composed of four parts. Part I is Prototype of Snake Women. Through the evolution of the topic of Snake Woman, I analyze Bi Shumin's female consciousness through the characteristics of two types of Snake Women. Part II is Prototype of Nv Wa, I present their characteristics of creativity, defense and independence through Di Mu and Sheng Nv. These characteristics illustrate her idea of the ideal women. Part III is Prototype of Kua Fu, I analyze him as a challenger and frustrated hero in order to enliven his spirit of challenging authority and his embarrassment after failure. Part IV is Prototype of Jing Wei. I tell the old legend through the analysis of two types of images who are seeker and martyr in order to demonstrate the character's pursuing, selfless dedication and sacrificing spirit as well as Bi's peculiar understanding of life and death.Part I is Prototype of Snake Women---the Embodiment of Women's Status. The evolution of Snake Woman experiences the holy God of Snake Woman, evil witch of Snake Woman and innocent Snake Woman. In Bi Shumin's novel, the image of Snake Woman witch is no longer threatening Men's world. They are no longer the disaster in men's novel. They change the destiny of being written and molded. Bi Shumin's attitude towards this type of women is different with men's shifting the misfortune onto women. Through the image of Snake Woman witch, Bi attempts to expose human's evil nature and criticize the society and care about the human eventually. Snake Women are good. Kindness and innocence are their nature. Though their nature is kind, they are suppressed ruthlessly by Fa Hai, who is the symbol of standards for morality and culture. These standards hurt the Snake Women deeply and they even die for them. During the course of their fights with the Fa Hais, they use their lives to gain the dignity, which shows their embarrassment in men-centered society. These novels show Bi's women consciousness and her hope of creating a harmonious society between the two sexes. Part II is Prototype of Nv Wa---Human's Creator and Guard. Nv Wa is the creator and guard of human, who has the feature of authority and independence, never depending on anyone or any power. She is a complete individual and has clear ideas, which embodies vivid features of modernity. These features of the prototype of Nv Wa are clearly shown by Di Mu and Sheng Nv. Di Mu has Nv Wa's characteristics of caring the human life and defending them. She shows the greatness of mother from the two levels of natural maternity and rational maternity. However, Sheng Nv follows Nv Wa's characteristic of caring human's spirit. They are kind, pure and have the virtue of traditional women, meanwhile, they are different with the traditional women. They have their own ideas. These two kinds of images both have the spirit of independence, which shows Nv Wa's independence and authority. They become the media of ancient legends and contemporary spirit, from which we know Bi's opinion about the ideal women.Part III is Prototype of Kua Fu---the Challenger of Authority and Frustrated Hero. His spirit is manly and aggressive, not rational. Kua Fu is clinging and dare chase the Sun. The primitive people admire the Sun, which is the symbol of authority. Faced with the authority's spreading, he chases the Sun, which is the spirit of fearlessness. Kua Fu stands before the readers as a challenger. However, he is thirsty to die on the halfway. He is a frustrated hero. Bi wants to call on the Holy Spirit which she admires very much and ponder the specific era. This thesis analyzes the characters in her novels from the two types of images---challenger and frustrated hero. These characters all have the spirit of Kua Fu.Part IV is the Prototype of Jing Wei---Pursuer of Ideals and Martyr. Jing Wei is persisting and never gives up. He is a martyr who dies for the welfare of human. Save the world is their dream. These kinds of spirits are disappearing gradually. Bi is attempting to find them in her characters. Death is not frightening. As long as your death is valuable, your life is meaningful. Bi tells the old legend through these two kinds of images---seeker and martyr. Thus she conveys her understanding about life and death.