Han Shaogong and the Roots of Chinese Literature: Exploring the Fantastic and Regional Space in the Context of Modern History (original) (raw)

This is an undergraduate thesis. It is mainly centered around an individual Chinese author, Han Shaogong (韩少功), but also deals with the late 80s school of "root-seeking literature" (寻根文学) with which Han is associated. Through close analysis of several short stories and one novel, this thesis investigates ways in which Han Shaogong builds upon previously established traditions of modern Chinese literature. Two themes are treated with particular interest: the use of genres of the Fantastic as well as of regional space in the fictional oeuvre. In both of these, readers may find the innovative and exciting ways in which Han brings forth previously marginalized narratives in his work. In addition to this, readers will discover that although Han's authorial gaze is ambitiously far-ranging, traversing centuries of Chinese history as well as crossing national borders of today's world, he is firmly founded in issues of contemporary China. In concluding, this thesis proposes that Han Shaogong raises fundamental questions about our ideas of nation and national literature, as well as the concept of cultural "roots."