Literati Discourse of Justice in Late Qing and Modern Chinese Fiction Yoojin Soh Washington University in St
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Washington University in St. Louis Washington University Open Scholarship All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) 6-29-2012 Revenge and Its Implications: Literati Discourse of Justice in Late Qing and Modern Chinese Fiction Yoojin Soh Washington University in St. Louis Follow this and additional works at: https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/etd Recommended Citation Soh, Yoojin, "Revenge and Its Implications: Literati Discourse of Justice in Late Qing and Modern Chinese Fiction" (2012). All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs). 980. https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/etd/980 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by Washington University Open Scholarship. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) by an authorized administrator of Washington University Open Scholarship. For more information, please contact [email protected]. WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures Program in Comparative Literature Dissertation Examination Committee: Lingchei Letty Chen, Co-Chair Robert E. Hegel, Co-Chair Beata Grant Emma Kafalenos Zhao Ma Marvin Marcus Steven B. Miles Revenge and Its Implications: Literati Discourse of Justice in Late Qing and Modern Chinese Fiction by Yoojin Soh A dissertation presented to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of Washington University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy August 2012 Saint Louis, Missouri copyright by Yoojin Soh 2012 Abstract Revenge and Its Implications: Literati Discourse of Justice in Late Qing and Modern Chinese Fiction by Yoojin Soh Doctor of Philosophy in Chinese and Comparative Literature Washington University in St. Louis, 2012 Professor Lingchei Letty Chen, Co-Chair Professor Robert E. Hegel, Co-Chair My dissertation explores literati criticism of injustice embedded in revenge narratives. Ranging from the late Qing to modern China, this research project elaborates on the existing scholarship regarding historical and cultural meanings of revenge to demonstrate the use of earlier textual sources by intellectual writers to embody their ideas and strategies. The literati community inherited a keen sense of injustice in society from previous writing practice and passed it down to later generations. Revenge narratives were able to reinforce this intellectual tradition because the authors of social criticism could use fiction to express their anger and frustration over injustices suffered by the people. Despite differing political ideals, authors of revenge narratives all deliberated on the problems out of which social injustice originated; thus, they claimed for themselves a timeless mission: criticism of all manner of violence along the routes of historical events. The frequent usage of implications is the focus of my textual analysis. In particular, I discover that illustrations of violence are rich sources of implied messages. Works of revenge have multiple layers of narrative structure. In order to carry out their moral criticism, the intellectuals wrote indirectly about political questions, usually through stylistic control of tone and diction. Embedded meanings often appear to contradict the authors’ political backgrounds. This arrangement, however, is essential in overcoming reductionist political meanings of their revenge narratives. My textual ii examples promote different political perspectives: Confucianism, nationalism, May Fourth cultural criticism and anarchism. The literati criticism of injustice also varies in pointing out physical and psychological violence. Nevertheless, this stylistic elaboration enabled these authors to sympathize equally with the victims of social injustice. I arrange my four major chapters in the chronological order of the works discussed. Following the trajectories of historical events, I examine applications of the revenge theme with special attention to descriptions of violence. Yu Wanchun (1794- 1849) wrote Dangkou zhi (Quelling the Bandits, 1851) in order to oppose banditry. His illustrations of lingchi (death by slicing), on the other hand, envision the triumph of legal justice against abusive ministers. Wu Jianren’s (1866-1910) Tongshi (A History of Pain, 1903-06) draws on the Mongol invasion of the Southern Song in order to protect the Qing empire. His conventional descriptions of tucheng (massacre of a whole city), nevertheless, transcend the anti-Manchu discourse and further indict the repeated violence of dynastic change. Lu Xun (1881-1936) manipulates multiple editions of the Meijianchi tale in compiling his “Zhujian” (Forging the Swords, 1926). Because his criticism of filial revenge implicates the victims of abusive power, Lu Xun slips into self- criticism, insinuated in the psychology of zhanshou (decapitation). Ba Jin’s (1904-2005) Miewang (Destruction, 1929) explores the political impotence of an anarchist. The merciless warlord rule is to blame for the public execution; but its psychological impact prompts the youth to assert their moral responsibility through assassination. I conclude my dissertation with Cao Yu’s (1910-96) Yuanye (The Wilderness, 1937). The literature of revenge, however implied the messages were, allowed intellectuals to carry on the perennial exposure and criticism of injustice. iii Acknowledgments I am most grateful to my advisors Lingchei Letty Chen and Robert E. Hegel. During my doctoral study at Washington University, they have orchestrated professional collaboration to provide me the very best conditions and opportunities available. Professors Chen and Hegel took great care of me from the first day I entered Busch Hall to the final hooding ceremonies at the Music Center. I appreciate their efforts even more because I know they will support my scholarly growth even after graduation. Professor Chen guided me to broaden my horizons at every critical stage: course work, exams, dissertation and so on. Professor Hegel delved into minute details not only to enhance my academic performance but also to help me develop as a scholar and writer. Without their mentorship, I would not have survived the demanding challenges of my graduate career. My committee members made invaluable comments from multiple disciplines and perspectives. I appreciate Professor Beata Grant for her courses on woman’s writing and religious texts. Professor Grant also gave me essential suggestions necessary from the initial stages of proposal to the actual defense. I also appreciate Professor Emma Kafalenos for her course on the fundamentals of narrative analysis. Her suggestions from the comparative perspective clarified many of my main arguments. Professor Ma Zhao welcomed me to the world of PhDs and inspired me with a historian’s sensibility. I also enjoyed many conversations with Professor Marvin Marcus about the revenge theme in the Japanese bushido tradition. Finally, Professor Steven B. Miles presented his professionalism by commenting on every corner of my dissertation. iv I benefited greatly from a diverse community at Washington University. Professors Ji-Eun Lee and Mimi Kim guided my teachings in Korean studies. Wang Wei is an excellent Chinese instructor and conversations with her covered many areas of common interest. Debra Sue Jones and Krystel Mowery expedited my graduation with hospitality as well as dedication. Tony Chang, Wai-man Suen and Azusa Tanaka helped me secure materials and made the East Asian library a comfortable place for me to work. The Writing Center deserves special recognition. Doreen Salli and Steve Pijut greeted me with friendly smiles and conversations. Roy Kasten has guided my prose all through my writing process and his mentorship stimulated many intellectual debates. I enjoyed the company of my classmates who graduated before me: Zhang Jing, Zheng Yiting, Yang Binbin, Zhang Xiaoquan, Wang Yanning, Rumyana Cholakova, Cho Sookja, Ben Wilson, HJ Lee and Hung Ling-yu. I also benefited greatly from the friendship of colleagues who are still here at Washington University: Weng Miaowei, Xu Yunjing, Jiang Hua, Lü Chun-yu, Alex Wille, Li Fang-yu, Zhao Yuan, Wu Yinghui, Lü Jue, Yuki Tanaka, and Suh Joohee. Important help also came from outside of this university. I still remember those days when I took classes with Professor David Der-wei Wang. I also have warm memories of my Columbia University classmates: Song Mingwei, Zhang Enhua, Hayes Moore, Chris Rea, and Hsu Hui-Lin. At the National Taiwan University, Professors Mei Chia-ling and Huang Mei-e provided kind help with research and I was glad to continue our conversations at the War Conference. I appreciate Professors Kim Hae Myung, Lyu Joong Ha, Chung Jin Bae and Kim Janghwan at Yonsei University who for the first time introduced me to Chinese studies. Professor Cho Kwanhee at Sangmyung University v also gave me invaluable advice. Professor Sunyoung Park, now at USC, cared for me even after her relocation. Professors Lee Jang Wu and Nam Cheol Jin from Yeungnam University gave me helpful suggestions towards the end of my dissertation writing. Professors Chen Sihe and Zhang Yesong at Fudan University were kind enough to help me continue my research. I also appreciate Professor Zhang Jia who provided passionate friendship. I credit the following for their generous financial support: Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Taiwan Ministry of Education, the Rotary International, and, of course, Washington University in St. Louis. I dedicate this dissertation to my “supervisor” BoGyeong Lee who has long looked forward to the completion