The Development Of Discourse On Ding Ling’s Life And Works In Western Academic Circles

ABSTRACT:In Western academic circles, Ding Ling is one of the most researched female Chinese writers, as well as one of the most controversial female figures in modern Chinese history. This is because of a continuous lack of comprehensive information on Ding Ling from mainland China, which leads to inconclusive research from Western scholars, who not only have differing viewpoints from Chinese scholars, but have various opinions amongst themselves. These opinions have changed and developed in the decades since the normalization of Sino-US relations. The scholarship on Ding Ling and her works has diversified substantially, but Western scholars’attitudes towards her remain complicated.This thesis uses Ding Ling scholarship and translations published for and by scholars from the United States and Great Britain, and focuses on how these scholars examine, choose, theorize, and summarize Ding Ling’s life and works. By using the "example" of Ding Ling, this study attempts to promote Chinese and foreign academic circles’continuing discourse as well as further mutual understanding, not only in regards to modern Chinese literary spheres, but related political, social, and cultural research as well.