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Could Lives Be Differentiated into ‘Big Ones’ and ‘Little Ones’: Socio-Ecological Concerns in Tzeng Ching-wen’s “To Set Lives Free” and “Redeeming A Painting”

  • The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China
  • Abbr : JSLCKC
  • 2010, (22), pp.280-299
  • DOI : 10.16874/jslckc.2010..22.019
  • Publisher : Korean Society of Study on Chinese Languge and Culture
  • Research Area : Humanities > Chinese Language and Literature
  • Published : February 28, 2010

林鎮山 1

1加拿大雅博達大學東亞研究系所

Candidate

ABSTRACT

To critically discuss the Taiwan culture as represented in literature, it is proposed that we may turn to Tzeng Ching-wen’s works to draw inspiration, as since 1958, he has written more than three hundred short stories to date, bearing eyewitness to Taiwan’s rapidly changing mores, social milieu, and family life,which are admittedly some of the spheres of professional interest to cultural critics. Recently, his creative writings have appropriately won him long overdue recognition, nationally and internationally, awarding him, for instance, the Kiriyama Book Prize (1999) in the United States, and the National Literature and Arts Award (2005) in Taiwan. His achievements in literary and cultural activities aptly demonstrate the meaningful and significant role he has played in the construction and reconstruction of Taiwanese consciousness, cultural identity, contemporary literary orientation and its multicultural character. Based on this recognition, this paper will argue that in his post-1990 works,“Redeeming a Painting” (1991) and “To Set Lives Free” (1997), not only is Tzeng,as in his earlier stories, again most humane and compassionate in reflecting the vicissitudes of Old Town life and the Taipei metropolis, but now, following the occurrence of Taiwan’s economic miracle, also exhibits a persistent grave concern over the pervasive socio-ecological degradation of individuals and their natural environment. Tzeng’s empathy with the suffering, his critical re-examination of Taiwan’s cultural practices, his respect for the well-being of all lives on earth, his commitment to the healthy ecology of persons and communities and to a balanced and sustainable way of life all find voice in these stories, which culminates in asking the question: “Could lives be differentiated into ‘big ones’ and ‘little ones’?”The recurring theme of respect for life reflects the modern humanist movement,which undertakes to secure the survival of all forms of life inhabiting planet Earth. Indeed, Tzeng argues forcefully through his stories and essays that there is only one planet Earth, so we must cherish its limited resources and engage ourselves in improving the relations among its inhabitants to further enhance happiness and harmony.

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