Laurence Yep's Rewriting Of Chinese Folk Tales And Chinese Folk Beliefs

In the context of globalization,China is exploring effective ways for the “going out” of Chinese culture and the construction of a culturally powerful country.In response to it,the author of this paper intends to explore available methods for equal communication between Chinese and America culture by studying Chinese folk tales and folk beliefs in Chinese-American writer Laurence Yep's “Golden Mountain Chronicles”.Though Chinese folk tales and folk beliefs are essential parts of Yep's novels,they are the product of American readers' expectation and Yep's understanding of Chinese culture.Hence,Chinese folk tales and folk beliefs in his “Golden Mountain Chronicles” have been changed greatly.Based on the theory of imagology of comparative literature,this paper explores Chinese image and Yep's self-image by comparing Chinese folk tales and folk beliefs with Yep's rewritten ones,analyzing the reason of Yep's rewriting and its influence.By analyzing Yep's rewriting of Chinese folk tale,this paper finds that Yep creates a group of Chinese who are relentless fighters like the White Serpent,persistent dreamers like carps having leaped over the Dragon's Gate,guardians of family interest with excellent craft like the Weaving Maid,and inheritors of Chinese traditional culture like the Owl Spirit.The Chinese images above are the opposite of those stereotypes created by American mainstream in which Chinese are wicked,slavish and other negative images.Hence,by rewriting Chinese folk tales and describing a group of Chinese inspired by those folk tales,Yep overthrows Chinese negative images by recreating Chinese positive images and highlights the importance of learning Chinese culture.By rewriting Chinese folk beliefs,Yep demonstrates the uniqueness of Chinese culture,and emphasizes the great cultural value of Chinese folk beliefs.Besides,Yep's rewriting of Chinese folk beliefs reflects Chinese image of attaching great important to family relationship,pursuing practical interests and devoutly believing in reincarnation.As for Yep himself,he thinks highly of Chinese folk tales and the myths embodied in Chinese folk beliefs,but he denies Chinese folk beliefs from the perspective of religion,which reflects the conflict of Yep's dual identity as a Chinese American writer and a Catholic.Both the descriptions of Chinese folk tales and folk beliefs reflect Yep's “rapport” attitude toward Chinese and American culture,and his expectation of equal communication between the two cultures and close friendship between Chinese and Americans.