| As a constant concern among the critics of American literature, Maxine Hong Kingston has become one of the most outstanding Chinese American writers. However, due to her gender and ethnic background, the analyses on her novels have frequently been focused on such subjects as women's studies and ethnic studies, and there is comparatively less, but not comprehensive if any, research on the postmodernist characteristics of her novels. Thus, this thesis is intended as an attempt to analyze such postmodernist characteristics as intertextuality and uncertainty, with her three major works as research texts, and to explore her rebellious spirit against racism and sexism as well as her reflection on the cultural identity of the Chinese Americans.Focusing on intertextuality and uncertainty of postmodernism, the thesis is composed of five parts:firstly, a short presentation is briefly given to the introduction of the Chinese American Literature and Maxine Hong Kingston and her works. Secondly, the following are the literature review and theoretical bases, including definition of postmodernism and the postmodernist novels and major features of postmodernism analyzed in great detail. Thirdly, postmodernist intertextuality in Kinston's works is elaborated, including two parts, namely, subversiveness and openness. Fourthly, postmodernist uncertainty in Kingston's works is discussed from three aspects of uncertainty of image, uncertainty of plot and uncertainty of language. Finally, a brief summary of the thesis is made, and the findings, implication as well as limitation are also revealed from the writing process. In addition, suggestions are made for the further study.All in all, the thesis explores the postmodernist characteristics of Kingston's works by analyzing her main works on the basis of postmodernism. However, postmodernism involves lots of aspects and has many problems. Therefore, it is no easy to solve all the problems and the research deserves enough attention. |
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