Tales Lying Behind The Eastern Chicago

It is of great significance to research the daily life of common people since human beings is the main power to advance the history of the world. And this thesis tries to disclose the distinctive quality of Wuhan culture and history by focusing on the daily life of the common people of Wuhan in the mid-late Republic of China (1927-1949).First, this paper researches the life of the lower class based on a case study of the peddlers. Half a century ago, many nearby peasants came to Wuhan city and struggled to make a living, finally remained at the lowest level of the citizens. They had to become astute and uncouth to adapt to the urban life, as made the whole life style of Wuhan people far away from lofty.Second, this paper studies the life state of the Wuhan common women. They lived their lifetime circling the family. Their role of housewife was shaped by the history, culture, government, society, men and women themselves. Wuhan common women contributed a lot to the happiness of their family members but lost themselves in the trivial domestic life because they were isolated from the career, education and public life. However, we should acknowledge our thanks to them given the important function of family in our life.Third, this paper makes a study of the personal reactions and relationship of the Wuhan common people concerning their attitude and correspondence to neighbors, relatives, friends and strangers and Guan'xi. The positive cooperative as well as negative conflict existed among people and most of them sought a harmonious relationship since it's uniquely significant to their life.Fourth, this paper discusses the relation between the civil life and public activity space focusing on Hankow Zhongshan Park. As a public activity space, Hankow Zhongshan Park strengthened civil public life in Modern Wuhan. It worked as a place for the government to politically control and educate the citizens, a place for the citizens to participate in social life, a place for the social associations to organize activities, which was a symbol of the city advancement. The city development was in need of graceful civil virtue. And only by the combination of the governmental and civil efforts can the public place and civil social life proceed to an advanced direction. Fifth, this paper studies the common mind of Wuhan people. The currency ration and materialism made Wuhan people impetuous and people showed respect for those who were dressed well because appearance was a symbol of wealth and they hold passion to decorate their face and pursue present interests and became spiritually tired. At last, the common people were almost all dissatisfied with their life and some of them hoped to change their fates through superstition and fortune interpreters.In conclusion, the prosperity of "Eastern Chicago" and the ordinary daily life existed simultaneously in Wuhan in the mid-late period of Republic of China. The realism and pragmatism made people's daily life vulgar and the civility at a low level but it didn't interfered in the advancing of Wuhan to the second most prosperous city in modern China.