For the translation of the title of Yan Lianke’s *Tamen* (她們, *They* [feminine]), an invented term, *Shes*, is used here, as the gender-marked Chinese character *ta* (她, "she") is a relatively modern invention. This work, which has not yet been translated into English, raises three key questions for exploration: (1) What is the main purpose of this work, and how does it differ from other writings by the same author? (2) Can this be considered a "gap-filler" in the writing of a her-story, complementing history? and (3) What, if any, is the political significance of this book? To answer these questions, I will closely examine the text, identifying the main themes and ideas expressed by the author, and cross-examining these with other relevant texts. In doing so, I will not only engage with the gender-study framework suggested by the author himself, but also incorporate Gayatri Spivak’s categories from subaltern studies. Specifically, Spivak’s foundational question, “Can the subaltern speak?” will serve as a lens through which to analyze the male voice that speaks for the women so vividly portrayed in this literary work.
Reconstructing the Self Through {HerStory}
Sabrina Ardizzoni
2022-01-01
Abstract
For the translation of the title of Yan Lianke’s *Tamen* (她們, *They* [feminine]), an invented term, *Shes*, is used here, as the gender-marked Chinese character *ta* (她, "she") is a relatively modern invention. This work, which has not yet been translated into English, raises three key questions for exploration: (1) What is the main purpose of this work, and how does it differ from other writings by the same author? (2) Can this be considered a "gap-filler" in the writing of a her-story, complementing history? and (3) What, if any, is the political significance of this book? To answer these questions, I will closely examine the text, identifying the main themes and ideas expressed by the author, and cross-examining these with other relevant texts. In doing so, I will not only engage with the gender-study framework suggested by the author himself, but also incorporate Gayatri Spivak’s categories from subaltern studies. Specifically, Spivak’s foundational question, “Can the subaltern speak?” will serve as a lens through which to analyze the male voice that speaks for the women so vividly portrayed in this literary work.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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