Chinese Fiction of the Cultural Revolution

Conclusion

Conclusion THE PRESENT STUDY IN PERSPECTIVE The publication of one hundred and twenty~six novels in a ten~year period is a rather small number in a country as large as China. However, taking into account the political circumstances during the years of the Cultural Revolution, this figure is actually high because the average annual quantity was at a similar level to that of the pre~CR period. This study has concentrated on twenty~four CR agricultural novels, which occupy a prominent place among all CR novels. Literary Characteristics The first part of this study is literary analysis concentrating on the characterization of the novels' main heroes. It has analysed five aspects. The first is personal background, which covers the main heroes' age, sex, marital state, class origin, family background, education and military experience. In analysing these personal factors, this study has emphasized their significance in the overall characterization of the heroes. The second aspect is physical qualities. By listing a number of stereotyped words and expressions with respect to the heroes' constitution, air, features, expression, manner, bearing, voice, etc., the analysis has stressed two points: Firstly, examining the way in which the authors describe the heroes' physical appearance, which from one angle shows the heroes' 'loftiness, greatness and 216 • Chinese Fiction of the Cultural Revolution perfection'; and secondly, analysing the exterior characteristics of the heroes as indicative of current aesthetic views on the physical portrait of idealized heroes. The third aspect is ideological qualities, which are divided into the qualities of class and line struggles and the qualities of altruism and collectivism. In the case of the former, the analysis primarily concerns the heroes' political foresight and insight into the politicized campaigns in the countryside; in the case of the latter, the analysis has emphasized the heroes' thoughts and actions in serving the public or others' interests. In recognizing that ideological qualities are also important in the characterization of the main heroes of pre~CR novels, the analysis has accordingly emphasized the differences between the heroes in CR and pre~CR novels. The fourth aspect of the characterization of heroes involves temperamental and behavioural qualities. The analysis concerns the heroes' feelings, manners and conduct which are primarily based on their temperamental and behavioural qualities rather than on pure ideological consciousness. Qualities such as generosity, honesty, modesty, level~headedness, reasonableness, politeness, and submissiveness, all commonly shared by the heroes, have been emphasized in this analysis. This aspect has also involved an analysis of the foundation of the values and standards shown in the characterization of the heroes with respect to temperament and behaviour. The part played by traditional Chinese conventions and norms in forming the foundation has been discussed. The fifth and final aspect is prominence given to the heroes, which concerns the methods used by the authors to set off the heroes by following the 'three prominences' and other stock devices. In particular, the relationship between the heroes and other characters, as well as that between the heroes and natural surroundings, has been explored. Some findings with respect to the literary characteristics of CR novels, for instance the fact that the main heroes' ideological qualities are emphasized in the characterization, are to be expected because they conform to generally recognized literary trends and policies. As to the expected characteristics, this analysis has examined both the ways in which the novels display such characteristics, and the extent to which the characteristics conform to expectations. This principle has also been pursued in the investigation into the linguistic characteristics of the CR novels. Other findings, however, were not expected and some even prove contrary to generally believed trends or facts about CR fiction. The following is a summary of some less predictable yet significant points. 1. It was expected that CR literature would bear little relation to pre~CR literature, since the latter was attacked during the Cultural Revolution. However, this study indicates that CR literature followed the same direction as pre~CR literature and carried through the pre~CR radical line. The theories attacked during the Cultural Revolution had been criticized in the pre~CR period, and many principles promoted in the CR period had been previously set forth in the pre~CR period. Conclusion • 217 2. Similarity was expected to exist in certain aspects of the main heroes. For instance, the heroes share similar ideological qualities because of the official unification of ideology, and the relationship between the...