The Research upon Yang Kuei’s Novels

• Main Authors: Kuo,Sheng-Tzong, 郭勝宗
• Other Authors: Lin,Ming-Deo
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/94181312043837588831

碩士 === 國立彰化師範大學 === 國文學系 === 97 === The Research upon Yang Kuei’s Novels Advisor:Lin,Ming-Deo Student:Kuo,Sheng-Tzong Abstract The themes of a novel contains messages and information of the plot, and the different characteristics of the plot necessitate the narration schemes and endow the novel with specific transitions and sequences of ideas. In the paper, I take Yang Kuei’s works of fiction as texts, using methods of compare and contrast, induction and deduction, to analyze the plot schemes and structures of his novels and to use the analyses as the bases of my interpretation and discourse. In the second part of the paper, I explore Yang Kuei’s ideology and concepts of literature. This part is divided into three sections: Yang Kuei’s self-construction in his youth; the trends and social movements; and the literary concepts of realism. The colonial system nourished Yang Kuei’s thoughts, and the contemporary ideological trend of the time when he studied in Japan strengthened his incentive to social movements, encouraged him to confront the injustices of the society, and inspired his concerns for humanity. I examine the discourse that the ideologies and concepts of literature restrain the forms of literary expressions. I find that literary creation served as a practical way of promoting Yang Kuei’s ideas of social movements. This is also the basis of in the following parts of the paper. The third part, the observation and writing of the hard times, is divided into three sections: his writing on a laborer’s standpoint; the reality of hierarchy oppression; and the ruthless arrogance of the colonists. I find that Yang Kuei’s experiences of working as a foreign student in Japan and of observing and participating in the farmers’ social movement aroused and strengthened his sympathy for the lower class. This enabled him to describe in detail the grim cruelty and injustice of the colonial society. He harshly criticized the cruelty and inhumanity of the local land owners supported by colonists. His works show his ideas of anti-colonialism and his criticism of the hierarchy system. It is fair to say that such ideas of his stem from the social structure factor of colonialism. In the fourth part of the paper, I reflect on the residues of modernization. This part is divided into three sections: the laws that hampered people; the focus of comprehension education, and the concern for medical care. The Japanese colonized Taiwan and began Taiwan’s modernization in a very limited way; the purpose was to benefit the colonists themselves. Yang Kuei was born and raised in colonial Taiwan, received Japanese education, and studied in Japan where he witnessed firsthand the full picture of modernization. However, even in his immersion in the left-winged trend of thoughts and his participation in social movements, Yang Kuei is able to reflect on the disadvantages of the limited modernization of Taiwan, and his novels demonstrate the standpoint of popular literature that shows concern and sympathy for the underprivileged and the laborers. In the fifth section, I explore the roles of literature in the times of war, including equivocation of ideas, the description of female fortitude, and the insights of a deliberately non-participating point of view. In the times of war, the government held the decree that regarded literature as an instrument of the government, and the freedom of writing barely existed. Consequently, Yang Kuei’s fierce and outspoken style of expressing his rebellious thoughts was replaced by a more tactful and vague style. He was even forced to write works that echoed government policies, and yet managed to reveal Taiwanese people’s resistance and defiance Yang Kuei detected in their everyday life and behavior. A roundabout and indirect manner distinct from his previous style was thus adopted. In the sixth and last section of the paper, I discuss the power of Yang Kuei’s works to offer people the hope of a brighter and better future. He clarified the sources of the alienation in society, took action to enlighten and awaken the public, and demonstrated people’s willingness to support and help each other. I discuss how Yang Kuei uncovered the sources of social alienation and sympathized with the laborers for their misfortunes. More importantly, I discuss how his novels demonstrated the support and help among the public in hard times, their persistent endurance to pursue a brighter future and to fight for their right to live.