Balance Between Independence And Interdependence

Based on the theory of independent self and interdependent self proposed by Markus and Kitayama,this thesis focuses on self-construals in series of short stories of The Shape of Thought and Others,and the influence of cultural elements of East and West on self-construals of characters and Ken Liu.The short story collection The Shape of Thought and Others(2014)by Chinese American writer Ken Liu is excellent in the field of science fiction,and has been nominated for the Nebula Award and the Hugo Award.Unlike ordinary science fiction,besides characteristics of hard science fiction,the collection implies Eastern and Western culture,and it is full of strong humanistic care,which endows it with high research value in the field of cross-cultural exchanges.Firstly,combining Ken Liu's life experiences with the theory of independent and interdependent self-construals,this thesis explores the relationship between him and self-construals.Through the analysis,the thesis holds that strong humanistic care attracted to readers in his sci-fi works is related to his self-construals.Secondly,the thesis analyzes characters' concrete performance at levels of independent self and interdependent self from aspects of relationships among individuals,as well as between individual and society.Characters of interdependent self care for and rely on others and environment,and they are associated with backgrounds for a harmonious relationship;while characters of independent self attend to inner world,and are isolated from the outside world for the pursuit of inner attribution.Thirdly,on the basis of plots and time,the thesis analyzes characters' transformation between two self-construals.One type of characters originally ignores environment,but gradually focuses on and recognizes the importance of interacting with it,when realizing that the concentration on self for a long time without satisfying inner heart;conversely,another category of characters gradually moves away from environment and others,and attends to inner world for the sense of value rather than strong reliance on others and environment for satisfaction and happiness.Finally,through the analysis of the influence of conversion between two self-construals on characters in family relations,social environment and growth stages,this thesis holds that man who have long been influenced by Eastern or Westernculture will find inner balance in the relationship between self and environment in the real society.Meanwhile,the study provides a thinking orientation for man in the real society to maintain a balance between themselves and environment,and to keep true satisfaction within heart.