Su Tong And Toni Morrison's "escape" Comparative Research Topics

Sutong, a Chinese contemporary writer, has aroused a lot of attentions and known for his unique and distinctive style. Toni Morrison is a famous African American female writer in the modern era. Coincidentally, the two novelists both tend to choose "escapism" as the long-range theme in their innovative writings. As leading figures in literature, they have been exposed to the numerous criticisms;however, the critics have rarely drawn intense attention to their comparative study. Under the guidance of comparative study on the subjects, the thesis probes into comparing various typical masterpieces, including Sutong’s Poppy House, The Escape in1934, Rice, Wives and Concubines and Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon, Tar Baby, Paradise, etc, thus thoroughly analyzing the similarities and differences in constructing the same theme of "escapism". The purpose of the analysis is to foreground their humanity towards the universal spiritual predicament and survival consciousness within the cultural background.First of all, the thesis explores the escapism in the Chinese and western context as an entry way so as to clarify that escapism in Chinese historical background is the reflection of "Hermit Complex", while the western one is the presentation of "Utopia Practice". Therefore, the cultural and historical backgrounds have set the specific reference for the thorough and detailed comparative study.Secondly, on the basis of cultural background, the thesis analyzes their escapism complex and explicit characterizations of the theme, consisting of the elaborate selection of geopolitical scenes and the hidden reason of migration. The thesis depicts Sutong’s complicated emotions towards his spiritual homeland——"the village of beech" and "Chinese Toon Street" and Toni Morrison’s emotional attachment to American Southern history. In addition, the thesis also points out that the genesis and causes of migration lie in the uncertain identities——the mixed identities of minor characters and the marginalization of Black Community. For the sake of lacking complete identities, the groups and races suffer the rootless and wandering life.Thirdly, based on the characterizations of Escapism Complex, combined with detailed textual analysis, the thesis develops the theme comparison, including explicit form similarities and cultural differences. As to the grotesque and eerie plot-making, they invariably turn to the Gothic novel Style; concerning the depiction of characters’alienation, the female discourses have been obviously weakened in both cultural backgrounds; regarding the expansion of narrative skills, they both adopt the non-linear and discontinuous narrative features, which often appear with multiple time-space intrusion. Despite the similarities in the expression forms, the two writers varied sharply on the cultural and emotional visions. Towards the cultural vision, Sutong has the strong inclinations to be loyal to the history and glorious past; while Toni Morrison tends to reflect on history and reconstruct the old mythology; as for the root-seeking complex, Sutong develops the haunted feelings of returning home and seeks for the spiritual comfort, while Toni Morrison traces the footprints of forefathers but reshapes the personality of black community; regarding the life consciousness, the characters created by Sutong are inclined to be confined by the social norms and passively resist the patriarchal doctrines, while black community resorts to heal the trauma and strives for the rebirth. Through both consistent and divergent theme illustrations, the thesis reveals that the two writers share the similar explicit forms, while the spirit connotations in their works vastly diverge.Eventually, after the comprehensive integrations of characteristics and illustrations of "escapism" complex, the thesis then summarizes the different solutions of "on-the-road" dilemma, which echoes the cultural background respectively. Sutong wishes to return home by the original route while Toni Morrison hopes for the transcendence of the predicament and construction of the Promising Land. Above all, the thesis comes to its conclusion:Based on the similar geopolitical scenes and migration reasons, Sutong and Toni Morrison both take delight in constructing the "escapism" theme, accordingly, their identical theme present both similar elements and disparities. In spite of different living areas, divergent value orientations and distinct spirits of watching for hope, they render their new thoughts towards the escaping predicament and surviving circumstances, thus forming the humanistic care and universal culture consideration for the groups and races.