Research of Shandong Traditional Culture and Women in Mo Yan's Works Han Huizi Department of Chinese Lang. & Lit. Graduate School of Soongsil University Mo Yan, the first Chinese national to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, is widely rega...
Research of Shandong Traditional Culture and Women in Mo Yan's Works Han Huizi Department of Chinese Lang. & Lit. Graduate School of Soongsil University Mo Yan, the first Chinese national to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, is widely regarded as one of the most influential realist literary figures in China and Asia over the past three decades. Many of Mo Yan's works delve deeply into the circumstances and inner worlds of women, portraying a diverse array of female characters and images. These women serve as witnesses to and bearers of their times, reflecting the decline, transformation, and reconstruction of traditional Chinese culture—exemplified by Shandong—over two centuries, from the late 18th to the late 20th century. The proposed work primarily focuses on Frog and Big Breasts and Full Hips, while also engaging with Mo Yan’s other long-form literary works centered on women. Employing psychoanalytic theory and feminist theory as analytical tools, the study takes as its entry point the traditional Chinese cultural order rooted in the Qilu cultural sphere of Northeast Gaomi Township, Shandong—the core setting of Mo Yan’s works and the region where he grew up. Utilizing methodologies such as literature analysis, comparative research, and interdisciplinary approaches, the thesis examines Mo Yan’s literary works from the perspectives of the psychology, imagery, and traditional social norms associated with women in Shandong's traditional culture. The first chapter explores the rationale for this study from three perspectives: Mo Yan's status in world literature, the rich elements of Shandong's traditional culture embedded in his works, and the influence of his portrayal of women on East Asian literature. It reviews relevant research closely related to this study, including analyses of Mo Yan's background, his focus on female characters, his distinctive language style, and critical studies of Big Breasts and Full Hips and Frog. The second chapter focuses on examining Mo Yan’s upbringing, his writing experiences, major works, and creative motivations. This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors that shaped his literary perspective and thematic choices, offering insights into the origins and evolution of his unique narrative style and the recurring motifs in his works. Additionally, the chapter approaches the cultural issues in Mo Yan’s novels from the perspective of the regional inheritance of Shandong's traditional culture. This cultural "rootedness" is embodied in the long-standing and deeply ingrained historical legacy and national heritage that permeate his works, reflecting the enduring influence of his homeland’s traditions on his literary creations. The third chapter focuses on analyzing the creative background of Frog and Big Breasts and Full Hips, offering a qualitative assessment of the primary character portrayals in both works. It constructs the maternal figure in Big Breasts and Full Hips, examining the reasons behind Mo Yan’s depiction and its literary significance. Similarly, it provides a layered analysis of the “aunt” character in Frog, describing her psychological evolution over time. Moreover, the section delves into the themes and writing techniques employed in these works. From the perspective of the relationship between humans and nature, it explores the shared and deeply rooted rural sentiment expressed through Mo Yan’s characters, interpreting his works through the lens of the traditional modes of thought in his hometown of Shandong, China. The fourth chapter examines the foundation of traditional social relationships in Shandong as depicted in Mo Yan’s novels, focusing on the perspective of human relationships within society. It explores the roles individuals occupy within the patriarchal framework of a typical family, presenting the structure of family ethics cantered on patriarchy. The chapter reflects on traditional views of procreation aimed at continuing the family line and the family structure organized around ethical order. In the traditional Chinese worldview of marriage and childbirth, young men and women form new families through formal marriage and, as an essential task beyond agricultural activities, bear and raise a significant number of offspring, predominantly boys. This cultural imperative underscores the inseparability of individuals from their societal roles, even in self-sufficient agrarian communities. Through this lens, Mo Yan’s literary creations highlight the characteristics of familial ethical order, the traditional view of passing on the family line, and the familial structures rooted in ethical norms. Keywords: Mo Yan; Chinese literature; Shandong; Traditional women