Ah Q Archaeology: Lu Xun, Ah Q, Ah Q Progeny, and the National Character Discourse in Twentieth Century China

by Paul B. Foster

Overview

Ah Q Archaeology concretely situates Lu Xun's critique of national character vis-a-vis metanarratives of nationalism and modernity through a close examination of his works in their historical context. Paul B. Foster uses a discursive approach to tie together Lu Xun's major theme of national character critique and its fate in China's tumultuous twentieth century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739111680
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	04/03/2006
Pages:	414
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.60(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Paul B. Foster is associate professor of Chinese in the School of Modern Languages at Georgia Tech.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 General Discursive Trajectories of Lu Xun, Ah Q and National Character Chapter 2 The Historical Context of National Character in China: Ironic Nationalism Chapter 3 Lu Xun's Late Qing Essays: The Foundations of His Engagement with the National Character Discourse Chapter 4 The Trajectory of National Character in Lu Xun's Writings (1918-1936) Chapter 5 Ah Q and the Critique of National Character: Lu Xun's Attack on National Essence and Chinese Spiritual Culture Chapter 6 Lu Xun and the Construction of the Ah Q Discourse (1922-1949) Chapter 7 The Ironic Inflation of Chinese National Character: Lu Xun's International Reputation, Romain Rolland's Critique of "The True Story of Ah Q" and the Nobel Prize Chapter 8 Ah Q Progeny—Son of Ah Q, Modern Ah Q, Miss Ah Q, Sequels to Ah Q—Post-1949 Creative Intersections with the Ah Q Discourse Chapter 9 Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

An admirable attempt to weave together at least three strands of scholarship: nationalism, modern Chinese literature, and modern Chinese history. The result is exceedingly rich.

October 2007 H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online

An admirable attempt to weave together at least three strands of scholarship: nationalism, modern Chinese literature, and modern Chinese history. The result is exceedingly rich.--H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online, October 2007

From the Publisher

An admirable attempt to weave together at least three strands of scholarship: nationalism, modern Chinese literature, and modern Chinese history. The result is exceedingly rich.

October 2007 H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online

An admirable attempt to weave together at least three strands of scholarship: nationalism, modern Chinese literature, and modern Chinese history. The result is exceedingly rich.

H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online