East Versus West: Eastern Man and Western Man in the Novel of Shanghai Baby

Abstract

           This research article intends to explore both Eastern and Western men’s portrayals in the Chinese patriarchy through Chinese women’s perspectives. The study examines how men in both regions are presented in the realm of Chinese female narration where woman has all the power to write her own stories. Chinese man, Tian Tian, the major male character and German man, Mark, another important male This research article intends to explore both Eastern and Western men’s portrayals in the Chinese patriarchy through Chinese women’s perspectives. The study examines how men in both regions are presented in the realm of Chinese female narration where woman has all the power to write her own stories. Chinese man, Tian Tian, the major male character and German man, Mark, another important male character are compared to each other because both of them have the great impact on the female prota-gonist, Coco. The novel is read thoroughly. Next, those two male characters are deeply scrutinized and compared. The masculinity theory both from the Western and Chinese (ying/yang’s and wen wu’s theory) is also applied to analyze those two characters. In the Western masculinity theory, Tian Tian is not qualified for the ideal Western man at all for his physical weakness, financially dependent and lack of self-confidence whereas Mark is the good example of the Western ideal man who is strong, attractive, and rich. For Eastern masculinity theory, Tian Tian is yin whereas Mark is yang. For wen/wu’s theory, Tian Tian can partly fit with wen’s theory while Mark is suitablefor wu’s theory. As seen above, the author intends to make the Chinese male character looks feminine and make the Western man looks more masculine. It is the crucial message from the author to stand up for women’s right. Yet, Hui still realizes the reality that wild behavior does not truly liberate woman. In fact, it loses woman’s self-esteem and self-worth. Besides, adoring the Western male character implies the threatening of Western power over the Chinese society. It seems like Chinese people embrace the new arrival of Western culture without discerning about its empowerment over the old Chinese tradition just like Coco cherishes and succumbs to Mark’s sexual appealing.