by Marianne Hsieh
Gao Xingjian (Chinese name), a 60-year-old novelist, playwright, and artist was recently awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for his novel Soul Mountain, a unique piece based on his travels over 15,000 kilometers in South-Western China for ten months in 1983. This work, described as a quest for inner peace and freedom, was highly praised for its sharp insights, precise language, and inspiring thoughts. Gao is the first Chinese winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. Born in 1940 in the province of Jiang Shi, he was severely oppressed during the Cultural Revolution because of his outspokenness, and in 1988, in order to “seek genuine peace of mind,” he moved to France and where he has writing ever since. He is highly recognized by French literary circles and his books are also best-sellers there. Generally, most Chinese people feel proud of him, since no Chinese writer has ever been awarded this great honor. The news, however, embarrassed the Beijing government. While still in China Gao often wrote plays or novels opposing Communism and sometimes even opposing the government directly. As a result there was no official acknowledgment after he won the Nobel Prize; the CNA (China News Agency) only reported that “a French citizen Gao Xingjian of Chinese origin won the Nobel Prize.” Ironically, the report was less than 200 words, compared with the popularity and attention the award received in Taiwan. Some people have actually criticized the award as being only political. Since the Nobel Prize traditionally honors works with global views it’s hard to choose a local Chinese writer, because most Chinese writers are confined to topics and styles due to censorship. However, China is expected to join the WTO and there are some crucial agreements to be signed with the US. So it is supposed that international bodies won’t try to provoke disputes by choosing other Chinese writers like Bei Dou (Chinese name) or A Cheng (Chinese name), who seem to have more prominent reputations but are also more controversial. Gao himself, however, doesn’t seem to care much about this issue. He said once in an interview: “I am not a politician, but I do criticize the policies of the government of China. My hope is to say whatever I wish to say; this is the only reason why I chose to leave my homeland.” He was extremely surprised when told about winning the award but he insists that a writer does what he or she has to do, whether in China or France. Soul Mountain is also controversial. Although based on his travel experiences it is written in a highly-westernized style, with long philosophical discussions and a heavy use of modernist language. Many critics believe that the novel is a good example of how successfully western modernism can be adapted to Asian themes. And others appreciate Gao’s efforts to introduce Chinese works to the western world. However, some believe that the Nobel Prize should have been given to a work with a greater emphasis on ethics, and a work that is more specifically Chinese In other words, they think that content is more important than style. But we must still respect the judges’ decision and can appreciate Gao’s creativity despite all the criticisms. Perhaps another Gao Xingjian will soon win another glorious award for the Chinese-speaking world. a
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May 2024
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