A Study On The Image Of Tibet In Western Travels In The 19th And 20th Centuries

This thesis interprets 11 travels in Tibet written by the Westerner between the years from 1840 to 1949 from the perspective of imagology.Through a detailed analysis of the images of Tibet in those travels by using poststructuralist and postcolonial theories,the author finds out that the images of Tibet constructed by the Westerner reflect the Westerner's basic conception of Tibet,which reveals both the"knowledge power" owned by the West World and the typical "Orientalist" mindset of the Westerner in learning the other.Its special geographical location and religious culture has kept Tibet mysterious to the West World.To a certain degree,Tibet that many Westerners have known is a fictional one:either a Utopia or a demonized barbaric kingdom.The images of Tibet constructed by Western discourse are not only fictionalized,but also made biased use of by Westerners in religious,political and cultural fields.Therefore,it is necessary to delineate these constructed images,so as to make clear their influence on current Tibetan issues.Travels play a very important role in constructing the images of Tibet by the Westerner.As interdisciplinary and comprehensive as they are,travels help provide a panoramic view of the images of Tibet in the Westerner's eyes.On the one hand,they are subjective,representing the Westerner's ideal and will.On the other,as a byproduct of geographical expansion,they show concerns for the real world and science.This dual property of travels will reveal more directly the power-discourse relation than fiction,which provides a more convenient point of departure for culture criticism.Since the beginning of the 19th century,some Westerners have reached Tibet through different ways,and written a large quantity of travels.This thesis selects 11 travels written from mid 19th century to mid 20th century,to summarize and delineate the images of Tibet in the eyes of Westerners in the 19th century and 20th century respectively.The study on the image of Tibet relies on the Westerner's traditional conception of Tibet.Therefore.the author begins the thesis with a review of the Westerner's knowledge and conception of Tibet in history by elaborating Tibet's ecology,urban features,religion,customs,and economy,as well as Tibetan's character.From the classical period to Enlightenment,Tibet has been conceived as the rich oriental"Kingdom of Gold",Christendom,the exotic and cannibal tribe,as well as barbaric,evil and wicked religion.It is obvious that their conception of Tibet is contradictory;however,it lasts long.This knowledge of the Westerner about Tibet has sedimented into their political unconsciousness,and to become misconceptions,which affect the way the Westerner learns China's mainland and Tibet today.The author further summarizes and compares the images of Tibet described in those travels.There are three main types classified,namely,the alienated,the mystified,and the realistic,which reflects ambiguity,duality and interrelatedness.The image of the other is constructed and represented by the one who gazes.The thesis explores the underlying reasons in forming these images of Tibet through a detailed analysis of Gazer's preconceptions,Gazer's identity,and gazing time.In conclusion,the study of the images of Tibet in travels not only enriches the scholarship on travels,but also helps to understand the Westerner's conception of Tibet in the fields of politics,economy,and religion,so as to understand the international influence of Tibetan issues.From the perspective of imagology,the conception of Tibet prevalent in the West World will be deconstructed.By making use of the rational and positive description of the images of Tibet and eliminating misconceptions and bias,China is expected to possess the power of discourse in constructing the image of Tibet.