The Reflection On "Neo-Orientalism" In Chinese American Literature

As the main content of Chinese diaspora literature, Chinese American literature has experienced different stages—from being neglected to being valued and from being marginalized to squeezing into the centre. But it has been criticized by many native Chinese critics claiming that it has the tendency called "neo-orientalism". This thesis begins with the analysis of the reasons for this phenomenon, then discusses it from two aspects based on the main works. It further studies the underlying soci-cultural significance of this phenomenon, explaining how it comes into being from the cultural and religious perspective. On this basis, this thesis concludes the cultural stance of Chinese American writers is ethnicity-centered which means that their ultimate aim is not to preserve and promote Chinese traditional culture but simply to break up the stereotype of Chinese Americans which is deeply embedded in American society and thus create the positive image of Chinese Americans and gain the due rights in politics and culture. Standing on the side of pure Chinese traditional culture and valuing works by Chinese rules is partial and could be regarded as "Chinese traditional culture fundamentalism". Under the guidance of post-colonialism criticism, this thesis specifically analyses and interprets "neo-orientalism" in a different way, pointing out that this phenomenon is a positive writing strategy which can help Chinese American writers to create Chinese context to establish their own value and rights. It is conducive to the fight against cultural imperialism and the cultural globalization, for it can gradually undermine the purity of the literary hegemony. Meanwhile it establishes a new style containing both Chinese and western elements.