http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c85m68v2 Online items available Finding aid of the Ailing Zhang papers 3032 Keisha Brown USC Libraries Special Collections 2014 August Doheny Memorial Library 206 3550 Trousdale Parkway Los Angeles, California 90089-0189 [email protected] URL: http://libraries.usc.edu/locations/special-collections Finding aid of the Ailing Zhang papers 30322040 1 3032 Language of Material: Chinese Contributing Institution: USC Libraries Special Collections Title: Ailing Zhang papers creator: Zhang, Ailing creator: Hsia, Chih-tsing Identifier/Call Number: 3032 Identifier/Call Number: 2040 Physical Description: 3.1 Linear Feet6 boxes Date (inclusive): 1943-2004 Abstract: Zhang Ailing (Cheng Ailing, Eileen Chang) was a Chinese author whose well-known literary texts include The Rogue of the North, The Golden Cangue, and The Rice Sprout Song. Her works, considered to be among the best Chinese literature of the 1940s, examined the themes of marriage, family, love, and relationships in the social context of 1930s and 1940s Shanghai. Zhang's writing depicted paradoxical human natures, powerlessness, and sorrowful truths in everyday life without the political subtext that characterized other writers of the period. The collection consists of six boxes of materials in English and Chinese. While the collection includes some of her early Shanghai publications, the majority of the materials relate to her life and ongoing works after she immigrated to the United States in 1955. Language of Material: The correspondence is in Chinese, but the manuscripts and other materials are in both English and Chinese. Biographical Note Zhang Ailing was born in Shanghai, China on September 30, 1920. At an early age, Zhang displayed an affinity for education as she learned English, studied art and music, read Chinese novels and attempted writing. In 1939, she enrolled at the University of Hong Kong to study English literature. However, her education plans were halted two years later as the Japanese occupation led to the closing of the university. After Zhang Ailing immigrated to the United States in 1955, she married screenwriter Ferdinand Reyher the following year and became a citizen in 1960. While in the U.S., Zhang held a few visiting teaching positions at various universities and managed to publish a few literary pieces as well. Even though she kept a low profile, towards the end of her life there was a renewed interest in Zhang's writings, particularly in Taiwan and Hong Kong. As a result, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, collections of her writings were reprinted by a large number of publishing companies, which allowed readers to rediscover the simple elegance and vivid imagery of her stories. But her impact on literature and film persists today. A number of films, television dramas, and theatrical plays have been produced based upon her compositions. Through the reprinting of and film adaptations based on her texts, such as director Ang Lee's 2007 screen adaptation of Zhang's short story "Lust, Caution", new generations are being introduced to Zhang Ailing's works posthumously. Zhang Ailing was found deceased in her apartment in California on September 8, 1995. Sources: The Life of Eileen Chang (Zhang Ailing) http://web.presby.edu/womenworldlit/chang/chang.html Zhang Ailing (张爱玲) http://shanghai.cultural-china.com/html/History-of-Shanghai/History/Historical-Figures/200810/29-854.html Liu Zaifu's Eileen Chang's Fiction and C. T. Hsia's A History of Modern Chinese Fiction http://mclc.osu.edu/rc/pubs/liuzaifu.htm New World Encyclopedia http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Eileen_Chang Scope and Content The Ailing Zhang papers consist of six boxes of correspondence, manuscripts, newspaper clippings and journal articles, photographs, and essays, articles, and speeches (written by Zhang Ailing). The strength of the collection is found within the correspondence as this series chronicles Zhang Ailing's life and career in the United States, primarily her professional relationship with Dr. C.T. Hsia. Though a largely obscure figure in modern Chinese literature from the 1950s to the 1970s, Zhang's career was revived by Dr. Hsia who played a role in helping Zhang achieve wider recognition. The materials in the collection are written in Chinese (traditional characters) and English. Acquisition Note The collection was acquired by Lillian Yang, former Chinese bibliographer in the East Asian Library at the University of Southern California (USC) with the help of Dr. Dominic Cheung 張錯, Professor Emeritus of Chinese and Comparative Literature at USC. The Ailing Zhang papers are comprised of materials contributed by Stephen, Mae, and Ronald Soong, Crown Press Finding aid of the Ailing Zhang papers 30322040 2 3032 publisher, and Dr. C.T. Hsia. Conditions Governing Access Advance notice is required for access. Conditions Governing Use All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained. Preferred Citation [Box/folder no. or item name], Ailing Zhang papers, Collection no. 3032, East Asian Library, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California Processing Information The processing of this collection was assisted by Ye Fu. Subjects and Indexing Terms Chinese literature -- 20th century -- Archival resources Correspondence Photographs Manuscripts Clippings Zhang, Ailing -- Archives Hsia, Chih-tsing -- Archives Correspondence 514927 1964 April 24 to 1994 December 8 General Note The letters in this collection have been digitized on a compact disk in the East Asian Library. Letters from Ailing Zhang to C.T. Hsia 512149 1964 April 24 to 1994 May 4 Box 1, Folder 1 Letter No.1 512150 1964 April 23 Scope and Content Letter and Envelope: Zhang explains her reasons for not sending Jin Suo Ji to Dr. Hsia but promises to send him a copy in the near future. Box 1, Folder 1 Letter No.2 512151 1964 May 11 Scope and Content Postcard: Zhang Ailing tells Dr. Hsia that she has received Jin Suo Ji and wants to do some editing of the text. Box 1, Folder 1 Letter No.3 512152 1964 September 25 Scope and Content Letter: Zhang tells Dr. Hsia the novel has been mailed and attaches two pages of her newly edited novels. Zhang mentions why she refuses the suggestions of publishing her novel in the newspaper and expresses her interest in translation work. Box 1, Folder 1 Letter No.4 512153 1964 October 16 Scope and Content Letter and Envelope: Zhang analyzes the reasons behind the editors' rejection of her novel. Finding aid of the Ailing Zhang papers 30322040 3 3032 Correspondence 5149271964 April 24 to 1994 December 8 Letters from Ailing Zhang to C.T. Hsia 5121491964 April 24 to 1994 May 4 Box 1, Folder 1 Letter No.5 512154 1964 November 21 Scope and Content Letter: Zhang talks about her current situation and possible future plans. Box 1, Folder 1 Letter No.6 512155 1965 February 2 Scope and Content Letter and Envelope: Zhang discusses translating her novel The Rouge of the North. Box 1, Folder 2 Letter No.7 512156 1965 June 16 Scope and Content Letter and Envelope: Zhang thanks Dr. Hsia for his help and discusses her possible future plans. Box 1, Folder 2 Letter No.8 512157 1965 October 31 Scope and Content Letter and Envelope: Zhang tells Dr. Hsia that she has finished writing The Rouge of the North and expresses her interest in translating Hai Shang Hua(The Sing-Song Girls of Shanghai) into English. Box 1, Folder 2 Letter No.9 512158 1965 December 31 Scope and Content Letter and Envelope: Zhang discuses the translation of Hai Shang Hua (The Sing-Song Girls of Shanghai) and her concerns that teaching duties might conflict with her writing. She also expresses interest in meeting young authors who publish writings in the Modern Literature genre. She also tells Hsia that Stephan will help her publish her books. Box 1, Folder 2 Letter No.10 512159 1966 March 31 Scope and Content Letter and Envelope: Zhang discusses applying for the Radciffe Independent Study program and her future plans of writing prose about the Communist party. Box 1, Folder 2 Letter No.11 512160 1966 May 7 Scope and Content Letter and Envelope: Zhang discusses her job and why her letter to Prof. Young was delayed. Box 1, Folder 2 Letter No.12 512161 1966 May 25 Scope and Content Letter and Envelope: Zhang discusses her educational experience and studies at Hong Kong University. Box 1, Folder 3 Letter No.13 512162 1966 July 1 Scope and Content Letter and Envelope: Zhang discusses her reference and asks Dr. Hsia to buy book for her when he goes to Taipei. Zhang also asks Dr. Hsia if, during his visit in Taipei, he can help her publish The Rouge of the North in Taiwan. Box 1, Folder 3 Letter No.14 512163 1966 July 8 Scope and Content Letter and Envelope: While translating the work into English, Zhang discusses possibly deleting some parts of Hai Shang Hua (The Sing-Song Girls of Shanghai). Zhang also expresses her interest in translating Jin Suo Ji (The Golden Cangue). Finding aid of the Ailing Zhang papers 30322040 4 3032 Correspondence 5149271964 April 24 to 1994 December 8 Letters from Ailing Zhang to C.T. Hsia 5121491964 April 24 to 1994 May 4 Box 1, Folder 3 Letter No.15 512164 1966 August 19 Scope and Content Letter and Envelope: Zhang discusses the publication of Yuan Nu. She also mentions an application she is working on. Box 1, Folder 3 Letter No.16 512165 1966 August 31 Scope and Content Envelope: Zhang tells Dr.