The Aesthetic Construction and Cultural Implications of Floral and Arboreal Imagery in Pai Hsien-yung's Works
Abstract
The floral and arboreal world in Pai Hsien-yung's fiction is an internal resonance with the symbolic logic of "fragrant plants and
fair ones" (xiangcao meiren) from Wang Yi's Notes on the Songs of the South (Chu ci zhangju). By synthesizing his turbulent life experiences
with the psychological trauma of childhood illness, Pai brings these images into a modernized context, achieving an aesthetic transformation
where "softness" serves as a carrier for pain and an expression of spiritual fortitude. Beyond their natural attributes, the redemption of the lo
tus, the evanescence of the chrysanthemum, the nostalgic longing of the azalea and banyan, and the consolation of the camellia and osmanthus
collectively construct a "fortitude within softness." This system completes an aesthetic progression from microscopic eros to a macroscopic
identification with history and culture.
fair ones" (xiangcao meiren) from Wang Yi's Notes on the Songs of the South (Chu ci zhangju). By synthesizing his turbulent life experiences
with the psychological trauma of childhood illness, Pai brings these images into a modernized context, achieving an aesthetic transformation
where "softness" serves as a carrier for pain and an expression of spiritual fortitude. Beyond their natural attributes, the redemption of the lo
tus, the evanescence of the chrysanthemum, the nostalgic longing of the azalea and banyan, and the consolation of the camellia and osmanthus
collectively construct a "fortitude within softness." This system completes an aesthetic progression from microscopic eros to a macroscopic
identification with history and culture.
Keywords
Pai Hsien-yung; Floral and Arboreal Imagery; Xiangcao Meiren; Cultural Implications
Full Text:
PDFReferences
[1] Wang, Y. (Annotator). (2013). Supplementary Annotations on the Songs of the South (Chu Ci Zhang Ju Bu Zhu) [M]. Changsha: Yuelu
Shushe. (In Chinese)
[2] Yuan, L. J. (1991). On the Artistic Art of Pai Hsien-yung's Fiction [M]. Changchun: Jilin University Press. (In Chinese)
[3] Liu, J. (2009). Emotions and Beauty:A Biography of Pai Hsien-yung [M]. Guangzhou: Flower City Publishing House. (In Chinese)
[4] Pai, H.Y. (2000). Crystal Boys (Niezi) [M]. Guangzhou: Flower City Publishing House. (In Chinese)
[5] Pai, H.Y. (2015). Trees Remain (Shu You Ru Ci) [M]. 2nd ed. Guilin: Guangxi Normal University Press. (In Chinese)
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.70711/rcha.v4i2.9174
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
