A Comparative Study Of Eileen Chang And Chi Li

Both Eileen Chang and Chi Li live in transitional periods. The two writers both take describing urban people’s life as the focus. There are so many resemblances and differences in the contents, style, and times backgrounds of their works.As for the resemblances, they are both female writers of transitional periods and describe in their works the social forms of their own era and the happy or miserable fates of people from all classes, as well as the perplexity and helplessness, jauntiness or vanity in their lives. Women’s awakening or ignorance, passiveness or struggle, hopefulness and way out are thoroughly pondered in the works of the two. Their works are characterized by clear regional dimension. The differences between Chang and Chi are the era they live, their growth path, and the ideology and culture they live in. They have different views on the same questions, and have a deep gap between their forms of literature. Chi Li lives in an era when China shifts from a planned economy to a market economy and economic position means a higher profile. Family relations, social relations, and especially female position in family lose their balance, cause collision, and lead to rebound. The social conditions are different and feminism is deeply rooted in the hearts of people, so the relationship between people and couples is mild though part of Chi’s fictions presented dramatically. However, Chang lived in an era when feudalism was at low ebb, and not entirely wearing away. Social culture shifted to western commercial civilization. People of new and old thoughts, Chinese and western civilization coexist. The social relations including women problems become more multivariate and intricacy. So we can say, Chang’s tragedy consciousness is more intense, and pessimism emerged more in her works. Accordingly, on the performance of literature, Chang’s technique of expression is more diverse, psychological description is more profound, and enjoyed profound artistic ability. Chi’s technique of expression is relatively simplex, mainly dramatis personae’s conflict and the sketch of social forms. The two writers, Eileen Chang and Chi Li, of different times author works in unique style with their aptitude and diligence. They promote and rich contemporary fictions on Chinese urban residents. Chang’s talent, her era, and life experience laid the depth of her thoughts and thickness of her works. Meanwhile. Chi Li’s fictions recorded the perplexity, perseverance and expectation of the post reform and opening up generation. They both made outstanding contributions to contemporary Chinese fiction.