On The Ritual Narration In Lao She's Novels

Lao She was a Manchu writer.Manchu ethnic characteristics were difficult to be reflected in his early works,which related with the background of the Revolution of 1911 and the May Fourth Movement.The ethnicity of the characters were expressed in an implicit way to interpret his familiar Manchu people's lives.With a close reading in Lao She's works,the Manchu features were unveiled from the characters' occupations,habits,language,and temperaments.The implicit way of expressing Manchu has become a major feature of Lao She's literary creation,which has become a new interpretation of Lao She as well.Manchu custom has its own distinctive ethnic characteristics.The traditional culture was abandoned and criticized during the period of May Fourth Movement.However,Lao She still insisted on writing the traditional culture and the folks' customs in his works,such as the custom of births,marriages and funerals.In his early works,the ritual narration driven by May Fourth Movement witnessed the developing performance of individual life,highlighted the nature of the individual lives.Under the background of national and ethnic separation,the ritual narration in the late works of Lao She reflected the living conditions of Manchu people at that time,which was a real portrait of the entire Chinese nation.With the social and historical background of Lao She's creation in different periods,the interpretation of the ritual narration from his early works to the late ones has become a new channel to understand the psychological changes of Lao She and his works.This dissertation will apply the theories of anthropology and culture to study the Ritual in the two periods of Lao She's novels.The main interpretation of birth,marriage and funeral rituals of Manchu custom will reflect Lao She's feelings to the nation and call for the return of beauty and humanity.