Sent-Down Body‖ Remembers: Contemporary Chinese Immigrant Women‘S Visual and Literary Narratives
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The ―Sent-Down Body‖ Remembers: Contemporary Chinese Immigrant Women‘s Visual and Literary Narratives Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Dong Li Isbister, M.A. Graduate Program in Women‘s Studies. The Ohio State University 2009 Dissertation Committee: Linda Mizejewski, Advisor Sally Kitch, Co-advisor Rebecca Wanzo Judy Wu Copyright by Dong Li Isbister 2009 Abstract In this dissertation, I use contemporary Chinese immigrant women‘s visual and literary narratives to examine gender, race, ethnicity, migration, immigration, and sexual experiences in various power discourses from a transnational perspective. In particular, I focus on the relationship between body memories and history, culture, migration and immigration portrayed in these works. I develop and define ―the sent-down body,‖ a term that describes educated Chinese urban youths (also called sent-down youths in many studies) working in the countryside during the Chinese Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). The ―sent-down body‖ in this context and in my analysis is the politicized and sexualized migrant body. The term also describes previous sent-down youths‘ immigration experiences in the United States, because many of them became immigrants in the post-Cultural Revolution era and are usually described as ―overseas sent-down youths‖ (yangchadui). Therefore, the ―sent-down body‖ is also the immigrant body, and it is racialized. Moreover, the ―sent-down body‖ is gendered, but I study the female ―sent-down body‖ and its represented experiences in specific political, historical, cultural, and sexual contexts. By using ―the sent-down body‖ as an organizing concept in my dissertation, I introduce a new category of analysis in studies of Chinese immigrants‘ history and culture. I use the term ―the sent-down body‖ to explore a new terrain to study representations of historical, cultural, and political experiences in the context of body memories and coerced or voluntary human movement in physical or symbolic locations. ii The focus on Chinese immigrant women‘s cultural production also helps enrich studies of new Chinese immigrants‘ experiences by treating them as part of Asian American immigrants‘ experiences. iii Dedication For my parents Li Zhifang & Li Fulong iv Acknowledgments No word can describe my appreciation and gratitude to my committee members, who have shown me true scholarship and provided priceless support and guidance. Professor Linda Mizejewski and Professor Sally Kitch intellectually inspired me and patiently guided me through framing and writing the dissertation. Professor Kitch, co- chair of my dissertation committee, chaired my candidacy exam and helped frame my dissertation focus before she took a position with Arizona State University. Professor Mizejewski walked me through every stage of my dissertation writing with great patience and unforgettable guidance. She has never shown any doubt about my project, which is extremely encouraging and unforgettable. I also thank Professor Rebecca Wanzo and Professor Judy Wu for offering their insights, feedback, criticism, and belief in my project. My experiences working with them are unforgettable. I thank The Department of Women‘s Studies for providing financial support (travel grants, tuition, and stipend) and teaching opportunities during my M.A. and Ph.D. programs. I am also indebted to The Ohio State University and The College of Education for providing fellowship and scholarships. Many friends as Shandong University and in Jinan deserve a Thank You: Ms. Sun Jinfeng, Mr. Li Zhenyang, and Ms. Dong Kaizhen. They have helped me in many ways but never expected anything in return. Professor Li Yixin and her husband Lu Daxi are among the kindest people I have met in my life. They believe in me and in what I do. Professor Guo Jide, my academic mentor at Shandong University, was like a father to me and encouraged me to come to the United States to better myself. Ms. Li Hong, Director of the Office of Humanities & Social Science at SDU, not only impressed me with her professionalism but also extended her friendship to me. Professor Fan Jinxue, Ms. Hu Yang and Dr. Li Yi supported me with their care and encouragement. v I particularly thank my professors and friends at Michigan State University. Professors Katherine Fishburn and Stephen Rachman in the English Department helped me set my feet in a challenging academic world. Professor Fishburn inspired me tremendously with her intelligence and sharpness. She patiently and inspiringly guided me through my M.A. program. Professor Rachman, a walking encyclopedia and thinker, challenged and inspired me in many ways. Rayn Wang, Lixiong Gu and Yanxuan Qu made me feel at home all the time. John Grant (now a professor of history at Arizona State University) firmly believes in me and goes out of his way to encourage me, share information, and talk about our projects. Many professors and friends in at the Ohio State University have provided advice, help, care and friendship over the course of my eight years at the Ohio State University: Professors Mary Ann Sagaria and Pattie Lather in Ed P&L introduced me to gender studies and research. Professor Brenda Brueggemann in English, Professor Terry Barrett in Art History, and Ms. Xie Zhenfen in the Chinese Flagship Program also provided generous support. Professors in Women‘s Studies are mentors in various ways. My appreciation goes to Professors Cathy Rakowski, Cindy Burack, and Terry Moore whose care, support and kindness have warmed my heart. Women‘s Studies staff members and graduate students also have my appreciation: Ada Draughon, Linda O‘Brien, Lynaya Elliot, Patricia Drillien, Ana Shook, Raili Roy, Alina Bennette, Shannon Cocrhan, Christy Holmes, Lakesia Johnson, Richelle Schrock, and Brena Tai. I also have some Chinese friends who have made my life at OSU more enjoyable: Wu Shan, Zhang Shuangyue, Chen Guangyan, and Fan Ling. My students in the Autumn Quarter of 2009 also have my appreciation for their understanding and support. My support team from Language Access Network has helped make my dissertation possible with their generous support and consideration. Some of them deserve a special ―thank you‖: Bridget Cogley, Erika Shell Castro, Andy Panos, Eddie Shishlo, and Tonya Harris. Bridget saved me with her generous help and knowledge of Microsoft Word and eased my worries over dissertation formatting. Dr. Simone Aziz and Mr. Felix Ortiz also have my special Thank You. Dr. Aziz knows exactly what it means vi to work on a Ph.D. and extends her support and friendship to me in the most critical stage of my writing. Mr. Ortiz read some of my writings from an outsider‘s perspective and provided sharp comments. Professors Randy Hodson, Susan Rogers, and their daughters Debbie and Susie Hodson open my eyes to a loving world and embrace me with their kindness. The loving hearts of Randy and Susan touch me the most. Their daughters from China amaze me with their smartness and cheerfulness. Gao Weihong, my college classmate and roommate, moves me with her irreplaceable friendship. Professor Huang Guiyou, Dean of Biscayne College and Professor of English at St. Thomas University, kindly included me in his book projects in 2007 and 2008 and made it possible for me to have publications before I finish my Ph.D. program. I appreciate his kindness and belief in me. Finally, I want to thank my family for their love, care, and financial and emotional support. My son Sky Fu is the nicest young man in the world. He has tolerated my impatience for years, but seldom complains. My loving siblings Hongbing, Xiao Lin, and Guocheng are always there for me, and their spouses and kids stand by me in their own ways; my husband Mark listens to my nonsense talk but shows his understanding and support. Susan Cloud and Thomas Cloud treat me as their daughter and love me dearly. My parents love me with all of their hearts and never show any doubt that I will make it somewhere someday. My intelligent and strong mother Li Zhifang has nurtured and protected me all her life. My father Li Fulong has shown his love by silently being there for me -- cooking my favorite food. They helped take care of my son for seven years without any complaint. I always feel guilty for not being a filial daughter. I dedicate my dissertation and future academic projects to them. vii Vita 1984................................................................B.A. English Language and Literature, Shandong University, China 1988................................................................M.A. TESOL, Lanzhou University, China 2001................................................................M.A. Women‘s Studies, Ohio State University 2003 to present ..............................................Graduate Teaching Associate, Department of Women‘s Studies, The Ohio State University Publications ―Self As Diasporic Body: Hung Liu‘s Self-Portrait Resident Alien.” Intersections: Women’s and Gender Studies in Review across Disciplines. 7 (2009) ―A Transnational Feminist Reading of Kyoko Mori‘s Polite Lies.‖ Global Perspectives on Asian American Literature. eds. Huang Guiyou and Wu Bing. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2008: 276-289. Fields of Study Major Field: Women‘s Studies viii Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii