An Ethical Literary Criticism of Han Suyin's Autobiography

Braving Irrationality
1. Auflage 2025
ISBN: 978-1-032-73954-0
Verlag: Routledge

Buch, Englisch, 130 Seiten, Format (B × H): 145 mm x 222 mm, Gewicht: 307 g

Reihe: Interdisciplinary and Transcultural Approaches to Chinese Literature

Han Suyin (1916/1917–2012) became a household name when Love is A Many-Splendored Thing, the Hollywood rendition of her novel won several awards in 1956. The study of Han Suyin went out of fashion for a while, but it has recently been revitalised, especially in Singapore and Malaysia. Kuek pays attention to The Crippled Tree autobiographical series, delineating her two-track narrative of her family saga against the backdrop of 20th century China.

Different from the earlier studies on Han Suyin that employed perspectives from postcolonialism, feminism, and new historicism, this book examines Han Suyin’s autobiography through the lens of ethical literary criticism (ELC), paying attention to the ethical lines and knots embedded in her series. Using ELC, an apolitical literary analysis approach, this book uncovers multiple layers of meaning and reveals Han Suyin’s life trajectory which draws attention to China’s difficult path of modernisation in the past century. The insights gleaned from this book shed light on Han Suyin’s life accomplishments in the face of great adversities and challenges.

This is a valuable book that will enlighten literary critics on critical approaches to autobiography and those interested in understanding the development of modern China through the words of a proud Chinese-Eurasian writer living in the era.

Zielgruppe

Academic and Postgraduate

Autoren/Hrsg.

Kuek, Florence

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Literaturwissenschaft Literarische Strömungen & Epochen
• Geisteswissenschaften Literaturwissenschaft Literarische Stoffe, Motive und Themen
• Geisteswissenschaften Literaturwissenschaft Literaturen sonstiger Sprachräume Ost- & Südostasiatische Literatur
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziale Gruppen/Soziale Themen Gender Studies, Geschlechtersoziologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Why Han Suyin? Why Ethical Literary Criticism? 2. Autobiography as Revelation of Irrationality and Lost Humanity of An Era 3. Ethical Identity, Dilemma, and Soul-searching in Han Suyin’s Autobiography 4. Ethical Choice and Issue of Legitimacy in Han Suyin’s Autobiography 5. Ethical Consciousness and Imagery of a Recreated China in Han Suyin’s Autobiography 6. Han Suyin, a “Daughter of China” and Global Citizen

Über Autor(innen)

Florence Kuek is Senior Lecturer at Universiti Malaya. Her latest research publications include translation studies of Honglou Meng in Malaysia, the English translation of Li Zishu’s The Age of Goodbyes, translation strategies in Ho Sok Fong’s Lake Like a Mirror, and the concept metaphor translation in Chang Kuei-hsing’s novel.