The Writing Of Old Tianjin And Ethnic Identity

Tianjin had been serving as a concession for more than 80 years from 1860 to1945. Ol d citizens of Tianjin had formed a unique psychological experience during the long and relucta nt course of concession. However, compared to Beijing and Shanghai concessions, Tianjin conce ssion seems to be in awkward crevice situation in political and economic fields. The awkward sit uation lacking "scream" and the delicate urban state during concession correspond to the colonia l mentality in some meaning. Many contemporary Tianjin writers commit to the literary writing o f old Tianjin, which forms a skillful interaction with the literary imagination of foreign author s. The special mentality of concession city and public is displayed in the literary writing and th e recognition of national identity also emerges behind the colonialism.According to the first delineation of Tianjin concession in 1860 by English invaders and the final recovery of the last concession in Tianjin-Japanese concession in 1945 when the Chinese people won the anti-Japaneses war, the time range of "old Tianjin" in this paper lasts for 85 years. Area of Old Tianjin includes the old Chinese community and concessions in Tianjin. This paper mainly selects the works of modern Chinese writers and the works of foreign writers with few parts involving material texts of Old Tianjin.This paper mainly studies the literature writing of old Tianjin from two aspects: one is the contemporary writers’ literary imagination of old Tianjin and another is the recalled writing of Tianjin by foreign resident. In these two kinds of literary writing, we can see the phantom of the concept of national identity clearly from the hidden against between colonialism and nationalism.In geographical conditions, although Chinese are allowed to stay and enter or leave in the concession, concessions in Tianjin and Chinese downtown of Shanghai still form space opposition in geographical boundary, which is a psychological space isolation between Chinese and foreigners communities. At the time of proceeding with literature imagination of old Tianjin, native writers almost start from the culture of Tianjin, who go to great lengths to present custom and humanity, festival and temple fair to readers. Characters of urban residents are also depicted in the presentation of these culture affairs. In these works, writers inevitably write about heavy-handed intervention of Tianjin Concession to Chinese downtown of Shanghai, while being reflected to common residents, this kind of intervention is the dissimilation of the concession and anxiety about their identity: concession becomes the symbol of powers might, and the weakened Chinese identity makes them at a loose end in front of foreigners. Ethnic identity emerges in such strong comparison. In the face of mighty colonialism, a part of citizens strengthen their ethnic identity, who demonstrate strong national spirit in the confrontation. While another part of Chinese are obviously clueless when facing western colonialism. Anxiety of identity makes them waver between the east and west, who become “foreign devil” or even the traitor.Memories of foreign inhabitants for Tianjin are full of tender feelings emotionally. They talk about Tianjin as if here is their hometown in childhood or “the sacred Tianjin”. At the time of affirming the author’s warmhearted memories about Tianjin, profound influence of identity is found from the words: even be full of tenderness, “foreign devil” living in Tianjin Concession are still the completely foreigners in nature. In the eyes of mighty colonists, Chinese and Chinese downtown of Shanghai is nothing but the alien races, who are second-class citizens outside of the concession. Chinese and concessions are simply the war trophies under their ships and armament. It can be said that such strong identities and discrepancies are everywhere. Therefore, we should realize that we cannot be immersed ourselves in this illusory tenderness. Ethnic identity and confidence need to be found out from ourselves. Due to special identify label as Jew, their reminiscences and feelings about old Tianjin draws people closer to it than that of “foreign devil” of colonist’s descendants. It seems that this is also one of virtues of the Chinese nation.