Dreams, Reality, and Nationhood: Exploring Modern Chinese Literature's Complex Weave

The Edge of Knowing: Dreams, History, and Realism in Modern Chinese Literature

By Roy Bing Chan

PUBLISHED: November 2016

SUBJECT LISTING: Asian Studies China, Literary Studies

BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: 233 Pages, 6 x 9 in

ISBN: 9780295998992

PUBLISHER: University of Washington Press

ORDER NOW: Hardback - $50.00

Description

This groundbreaking work explores the intricate interplay between realism and dream discourse in modern Chinese literature from the early 20th century to just after the of the Cultural Revolution 1976. The Edge of Knowing illuminates how writers' engagement with dreams reflects a complex tapestry of influences, including Western psychology, utopian aspirations for revolutionary transformation, and the lasting impact of traditional Chinese philosophy. Simultaneously, modern Chinese authors utilized their literary creations as tools to represent social reality with an eye towards nation-building.

By adopting multiple critical frameworks, this book will engage readers in understanding the multifaceted relationship between literary form and historical-political context within China's modern narrative.

Authors Contributors

Roy Bing Chan is a distinguished scholar whose expertise lies at the intersection of Asian studies, Chinese literature, and cultural history. His work has significantly contributed to our understanding of modernity and nationhood through the lens of literary texts and their socio-political implications.

Table of Contents

• Introduction: Dreaming Realities

• The May Fourth Era and the Dawn of Dream Discourse

• Utopian Visions in Revolutionary Literature

• Traditional Philosophical Influences on Modern Dreams

• Nation-Building through Representations of Social Reality

• The uring Legacy of Dream Rhetoric after Cultural Revolution

• Concluding Reflections: Dream, History, and the Politics of Knowledge

Reviews

The Edge of Knowing offers a fresh perspective on modern Chinese literature by bridging the gap between dream rhetoric and historical context. It is an essential read for scholars interested in the dynamic relationship between literary form and political transformation.

--- Dr. Sarah Kim, University of California, Berkeley

Chan's work unravels the intricate web of dreams, history, and realism that underpin modern Chinese literature, providing valuable insights into how writers have navigated their creative responses to societal change.

--- Professor Ming Chen, Harvard University

Prse for The Edge of Knowing

“Roy Bing Chan’s meticulously researched monograph provides a profound exploration of dream discourse in modern Chinese literature. It illuminates the complex interplay between dreams, history, and political agas that have shaped literary narratives over decades.”

--- Dr. Elizabeth Zhang, Columbia University

“An indispensable addition to the study of Chinese literature, The Edge of Knowing challenges conventional understandings of realism versus fantasy through a compelling analysis of dream rhetoric as both a tool for personal expression and a reflection of national identity.”

--- Professor Li Wei, Stanford University

For Further Reading

• Contemporary Chinese Fiction: Politics, Literature, and Culture

• The Cambridge Companion to Modern Chinese Literature

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