Intercultural Study On Cultural Identity From The Perspective Of Cultural Hybridity

Within the framework of Homi Bhabha’s cultural hybridity and cultural identity theory, especially social identity theory advanced by Henri Tajfel and John Turner, this thesis, by taking Han Suyin’s A Many-Splendoured Thing as its discourse, is devoted to the analysis of cultural hybridity and cultural identity which shaped Han Suyin, who lived in a hybridized environment. The thesis also elaborates her identity dilemma and identity construction in her autobiographical novel A Many-Splendoured Thing.With various cultures converging and merging, people in the society of hybridity naturally go through the process of identity altering and reshaping, especially for those living in the war period. Han Suyin wrote the famous autobiographical novel A Many-Splendoured Thing based on her own experiences in Hong Kong during and after the Second World War. Within the context of both Eastern and Western cultures, Han Suyin adheres to the sense of Chinese belongingness on the one hand, and identifies with Western culture and ideology on the other hand. Therefore, it is not appropriate to underestimate Han Suyin’s identity when studying her works.The present thesis chooses 37 examples in A Many-Splendoured Thing to elaborate on Han Suyin’s Chinese and Western identities reflected in her novel. The research results suggest that Han Suyin was clearly influenced by her dual identities because Hong Kong during the Second World War was in the process of vigorous hybridity.1) Her Chinese identity is basically reflected in her affinity with Chinese nationality and her passion for Chinese revolution, while her western identity is primarily revealed by her unconscious adoption of and identification with the western perspective, and by her apprehension of Chinese revolution as well.2) In terms of nationality, although being a hybrid Eurasian, Han Suyin adheres to her Chinese nationality and works on constructing a more objective image of China and a more positive picture of diligent Chinese people, which provides the westerners a new perspective to learn China in the late 1940s and early 1950s.3) In the aspects of western values, her unconscious adoption of western perspective, her western values on love and relationship, and her calm and even wavering views on Chinese revolution characterize her affinity to western identity as well.4) With regard to Chinese revolution, Han Suyin holds a contradictory attitude towards it. She voluntarily stands with the Chinese people, who dedicate their life to strive for a new and liberal nation; while she evidently hates the destructive power brought by the revolution. Finally, the thesis points out the limitations of the analysis and suggestions for further study.