China (Day 2); Wuxia & Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Today we will continue reading some contemporary Chinese writers and complete our cultural viewing as a setting/background for a short story set in China or with an appropriate cross-cultural theme. This will be one of your required assignments for your final portfolio.

2nd Period: We will begin screening the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), directed by Ang Lee. Details about the film and important director can be found at the links.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is an example of a wuxia film. Wuxia is a genre of Chinese fiction involving the adventures of martial artists, often set in ancient China. Wuxia stories have existed as early as 300–200 BCE. Although wuxia is traditionally a form of fantasy literature, its popularity has caused it to spread to diverse art forms such as Chinese opera, films, television series and video games. It forms part of popular culture in many Chinese-speaking and Asian communities around the world, including the popularity of the kung-fu or martial arts film in American cinema.

Wuxia fiction was banned at various times during the Republican era (1912-1949) and these restrictions stifled the growth of the genre. You may elect to write a wuxia inspired story for your fiction.

How to do that...:

• Your protagonist should be a martial artist who follows the code of xiais often referred to as a xiákè. Xiais involves justice, individualism, loyalty, courage, truthfulness, disregard for wealth, and desire for glory. Apart from individualism, these characteristics are similar to Confucian values.
• In some translations, the martial artist is referred to as a "swordsman" or"swordswoman" even though he or she may not necessarily wield a sword. Often, the protagonist starts the story having retired or renounced his/her martial abilities (or doesn't know his/her talent or full potential) or forced into action by the death of a loved one.
• There is usually a mentor archetype--someone to guide or teach the martial artist. This is usually a wise monk or retired soldier.
• The heroes in wuxia fiction typically do not serve a lord, wield military power, or belong to the aristocratic class. They often originate from the lower social classes of ancient Chinese society.  Therefore they are outsiders.
• Stories often take place during an invasion from an outside force or country--a ruthless invader or powerful warlord that threatens the tranquility of normal citizens. See A Fistful of Dollars as an example of our American Western-type of wuxia.
• The protagonist usually follows a code of chivalry. This code usually requires wuxia heroes to right and redress wrongs, fight for righteousness, remove oppressors, and bring retribution for past misdeeds. We can see its shadows in such film genres as Blaxploitation films and the Die Hard film series...Chinese xia traditions can be compared to martial codes from other cultures such as the Japanese samurai bushidō or the knight's code of chivalry from the Middle Ages.
• The story often involves a legendary weapon or item of great power. Sometimes this weapon is the skill of the martial artist.
• Sometimes weird and supernatural elements occur. See Big Trouble in Little China (1986) as an example.

HOMEWORK: Read Red Scarf Girl by Tuesday. Choose and begin preparing your coffeehouse reading selections.