Xi Tian | Bucknell University (original) (raw)
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publication by Xi Tian
Hong Kong University Press, 2020
Journal of the European Association for Chinese Studies, 2021
Prism , 2020
Originating in Japan, "boys love" (BL) manga and fiction that focus on romantic or homoerotic mal... more Originating in Japan, "boys love" (BL) manga and fiction that focus on romantic or homoerotic male-male relation ships are considered by most of their writers, readers, and scholars to be primarily by women and for women and are purposely differentiated from gay fiction and manga by both commentators and practitioners. However, BL's increasing interweaving with homosexuality and sexual minorities in China re quires scholars to reread and re de fine BL practice in its Chinese context. This article discusses some of the re cent trans formations of the BL genre in China, examines the significant role female practitioners have played in indigenizing BL, and ultimately points to the trend of consciously writing and reading BL through a homosexual lens. By reflexively constructing "gayness" in BL works, these practices have also created a peer-led educational space on non-normative sexuality and gender identity. The author also examines how BL "poaches" official and main stream cultures, resulting in their considering BL the primary fictional vehicle of ho mo sexuality. She there fore suggests that the trend of conflating BL with homosexuality and the deliberate homosexualization of BL in both texts and real life have ultimately extended the cultural identity of BL, as well as its political meaning, and in practice have created a porous culture that welcomes gender diversity and helps in crease the visibility of the gay community, revealing a significant social and cultural shift that cannot be ignored or reversed.
Papers by Xi Tian
Lens on China: Intermediate and Advanced Readings on Film for Learning Chinese is an innovative t... more Lens on China: Intermediate and Advanced Readings on Film for Learning Chinese is an innovative textbook that uses film to teach intermediate to advanced Mandarin Chinese. It not only provides students with a non-traditional way to learn Chinese by combining visual and textual materials, but also creates real sociocultural and linguistic situations where students can use their acquired skills. Each lesson of the textbook focuses on one film in a highly engaging and effective way of learning. Chapter comes with a comprehensive vocabulary list, detailed grammar explanations, and exercises in various formats. Such a design ensures a balance between basic language training in vocabulary and grammatical structure, and more advanced goals in interactive communication and in-depth reflection. The film selection has been chosen to help the student achieve a sociocultural knowledge that will deepen their understanding of contemporary China. Half of the films selected are light-hearted works on youth, love, and aspirations, with discussions revolving around topics such as relationships, immigration, elderly care, education, and social justice. The other half tackle more complex issues pertinent to the impact of China’s economic and political reforms, as well as its fast-changing social and cultural landscape. Lens on China will become a treasured language resource to those who want to master Mandarin Chinese.https://digitalcommons.bucknell.edu/books/1246/thumbnail.jp
One of the most popular literary and cultural practices particularly in the digital age, “boys’ l... more One of the most popular literary and cultural practices particularly in the digital age, “boys’ love” (BL, danmei 耽美) manga and fictional works are fantasies on romantic or homoerotic male-male relationships, and therefore are often naturally associated with homosexuality and pornography, two “morally” suspicious targets of government censorship in the heteronormative Chinese culture. This article aims to examine the various, indeed often opposite, strategies and tactics taken by BL participants and by some conscientious netizens on popular social media to illustrate how those who are under the threat of censorship grapple with harsh reality. In this article I argue that the BL practitioners’ responses to Chinese government’s anti-pornography campaigns are not simply a passive or reluctant “reaction.” I will first study the web adaptation of Priest’s BL story Zhenhun, demonstrating Priest’s as well as her fans’ tactful collaboration with the consumer culture and willing conformity t...
Hong Kong University Press, 2020
Journal of the European Association for Chinese Studies, 2021
Prism , 2020
Originating in Japan, "boys love" (BL) manga and fiction that focus on romantic or homoerotic mal... more Originating in Japan, "boys love" (BL) manga and fiction that focus on romantic or homoerotic male-male relation ships are considered by most of their writers, readers, and scholars to be primarily by women and for women and are purposely differentiated from gay fiction and manga by both commentators and practitioners. However, BL's increasing interweaving with homosexuality and sexual minorities in China re quires scholars to reread and re de fine BL practice in its Chinese context. This article discusses some of the re cent trans formations of the BL genre in China, examines the significant role female practitioners have played in indigenizing BL, and ultimately points to the trend of consciously writing and reading BL through a homosexual lens. By reflexively constructing "gayness" in BL works, these practices have also created a peer-led educational space on non-normative sexuality and gender identity. The author also examines how BL "poaches" official and main stream cultures, resulting in their considering BL the primary fictional vehicle of ho mo sexuality. She there fore suggests that the trend of conflating BL with homosexuality and the deliberate homosexualization of BL in both texts and real life have ultimately extended the cultural identity of BL, as well as its political meaning, and in practice have created a porous culture that welcomes gender diversity and helps in crease the visibility of the gay community, revealing a significant social and cultural shift that cannot be ignored or reversed.
Lens on China: Intermediate and Advanced Readings on Film for Learning Chinese is an innovative t... more Lens on China: Intermediate and Advanced Readings on Film for Learning Chinese is an innovative textbook that uses film to teach intermediate to advanced Mandarin Chinese. It not only provides students with a non-traditional way to learn Chinese by combining visual and textual materials, but also creates real sociocultural and linguistic situations where students can use their acquired skills. Each lesson of the textbook focuses on one film in a highly engaging and effective way of learning. Chapter comes with a comprehensive vocabulary list, detailed grammar explanations, and exercises in various formats. Such a design ensures a balance between basic language training in vocabulary and grammatical structure, and more advanced goals in interactive communication and in-depth reflection. The film selection has been chosen to help the student achieve a sociocultural knowledge that will deepen their understanding of contemporary China. Half of the films selected are light-hearted works on youth, love, and aspirations, with discussions revolving around topics such as relationships, immigration, elderly care, education, and social justice. The other half tackle more complex issues pertinent to the impact of China’s economic and political reforms, as well as its fast-changing social and cultural landscape. Lens on China will become a treasured language resource to those who want to master Mandarin Chinese.https://digitalcommons.bucknell.edu/books/1246/thumbnail.jp
One of the most popular literary and cultural practices particularly in the digital age, “boys’ l... more One of the most popular literary and cultural practices particularly in the digital age, “boys’ love” (BL, danmei 耽美) manga and fictional works are fantasies on romantic or homoerotic male-male relationships, and therefore are often naturally associated with homosexuality and pornography, two “morally” suspicious targets of government censorship in the heteronormative Chinese culture. This article aims to examine the various, indeed often opposite, strategies and tactics taken by BL participants and by some conscientious netizens on popular social media to illustrate how those who are under the threat of censorship grapple with harsh reality. In this article I argue that the BL practitioners’ responses to Chinese government’s anti-pornography campaigns are not simply a passive or reluctant “reaction.” I will first study the web adaptation of Priest’s BL story Zhenhun, demonstrating Priest’s as well as her fans’ tactful collaboration with the consumer culture and willing conformity t...