Soul Ties:An Expository Study On The Discovery Of Southeast-Asian Elements In Eileen Chang’s Writings

The Chinese literary world has never been short of writers,but the excellent works of Eileen Chang(1920-1995)could be considered sui generis,and truly set her apart from the rest.Prof CT Hsia once commented in s"A History of Modern Chinese Fiction”that Eileen Chang was China’s most outstanding contemporary writer,whose achievement was comparable to Western literary figures such as Katherine Mansfield and Katherine Anne Porter.Since the above attribution of accolade,Chang’s fame has soared even higher,as compared to her success in Shanghai in the 1940s.Over the years she has accumulated legions of loyalist readers and enthusiastic researchers.Studies carried out on her works are so active that it may have rivalled those on "The Dreams of the Red Chamber".Her autobiographical work,XiaoTuanYuan("A Little Reunion"),which was published posthumously in 2009 was reprinted 9 times in the span of one month.Hitherto researches on Chang have concentrated intensely on nearly all aspects of her life and writings.However studies on the conspicuous presence of ’Nanyang’(Southeast Asia)elements,including the Overseas Chinese residing therein are nearly void.The casting of men and women of Southeast-Asian origin as characters in Chang’s fictional works is not unfamiliar.In fact,they have been handed the principal roles in two of her most renowned short stories,"Red Rose,White Rose" and "Love in a Fallen City".Many of her essays,film scripts,and her autobiographical work are also heavily infused with description of people,culture,domestic lives,as well as flora and fauna of South-east Asia.This thesis examines the textual occurrence of such elements in Chang’s works and further subject them to evaluation and interpretation,against the factual background of that geographical area.Considering the fact that Chang had never been to Southeast-Asia during her life time,this thesis further analyses her motivations for producing such works.In this respect psychological theories including those of Freud,are applied.Finally this research critically assesses the importance and the possible contributions of Chang’s Southeast-Asian writings to the history of modem and contemporary Chinese literature.In conclusion the abundance presence of Southeast-Asian elements in Chang’s works is beyond doubt.Her descriptions are often vivid and accurate,though some aspects need further clarification and elaboration,in order to paint a truer picture.Chang’s fictional writings set in WWII Hong Kong,together with her essays and autographical work detailing the same period,have contributed to the current depository of historical literature.Her description and keen observations on the clashes and convergence of East,West and Southeast-Asian cultures in her works have also brought important perspectives and thus enabling her to make a mark in the history of Chinese literature.