Rebecca F. Kuang on National Literatures, Book Publishing, and History in Fiction
Conversations with Tyler
The Treaty of Versailles, Chinese National Awakening, and Literary History
The Treaty of Versailles did not treat China fairly, leading to domestic protests and a sense of national awakening. This resulted in a rally around the flag motivating effect, signaling the development of national consciousness. The failure of the Treaty of Versailles to fulfill Chinese hopes raised questions about accountability, whether it was Woodrow Wilson or internally corrupt Chinese warlords at fault. The discussion highlights the impact on China's narrative around historical events, ultimately shaping its literary history. The speaker's academic trajectory from history to modern Chinese literature is influenced by an interest in examining how historical events are represented in literature, particularly focusing on the modern Chinese and Asian American literary movements. The exploration of literary representations of historical events and cultural imaginaries reflects the speaker's current dissertation research focused on texts that contemplate the Trans-Pacific Imagination and authority on China.
