The Contradiction Of "Lust And Caution"in Chinese Modern And Contemporary Authoresses’ Novels

Since the May4th Movement, the subjective consciousness of Chinese feminine has undergone through awaking, puzzling, and maturity. Standing in their own position, Chinese authoresses began to stand out and write their personal past from their gender experience so as to break out of the male supremacy culture. However, during their creation, they touch the topic on "lust and caution" intentionally or unintentionally. This thesis studies on female literature from the May4th Movement till now, which divides into three period. The author selects representative works of each stage to grasp the "lust and caution" consciousness from Chinese contemporary and modern authoress’ novels.The stage before war (1919-1937),in the special turn of the new and old historical period, which led to women inevitably affected by the old feudal thinking, and the profound traditional culture. most of the female novels involved into Naro’s confusion and embarrassment after her leaving and losing the way."Lust, Caution" in the Chinese female literature manifested as the fetters of Confucianism and of motherly love, the contradiction between free love and compassion, the anguish of pursuing the combination of body and soul but not achieved.Female writers’ discussion of the tragedy reason focuses on the external environment like social and family etc.The stage of1940s(1937-1945):In this chaotic era, female writers of this period represent female consciousness mainly by internal self-examination. The authoresses show a more sober and resolute attitude towards the description of choosing lust or caution. They appear with an unprecedented sober attitude and understand their situation. They firmly believed that women do abstain from lust, from aspire or fantasy to the patriarchal society, but also from material greedy and worship, and do learn self-fulfilled and self-reliance in spirit so as to ultimately save themselves.New Era (since1978):They dare to take the initiative in the pursuit of love, enjoy the passion of love, and bear the pain from love bravely, but they are still be pressed by the caution awareness and asceticism. Wang Anyi and Tie Ning focused on exploring the way of settling down from a series of contradictions between the instinctive desire and moral exhortations, the ideal and reality, reason and feelings. Chen Ran and Lin Bai who focus on self-examination and appreciation go beyond the traditional social and moral level to the women’s deep and secretive inside. In Weihui’s works, there is only indulgent desires and senses satisfaction. Works written by Muzi Mei, has already exceeded the ethical bottom line through much straightforward pornography.Chinese contemporary female writers start from the unique gender attributes to break through the social barriers and shackles; they pay close attention to women’s living circumstances and emotional appealing, which is avoided by history. The value of this effort should not be denied. Despite being in the confusion, confused, pause, or even be reversed, but female writers are still seeking the path of liberation firmly and maturely.