Body and desire

Author: Kang Zhenguo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-05-01
Features: The narrative tradition in the West is opposite to the lyrical tradition in classical Chinese literature. The purpose of narration is to clarify the truth of events, from openly discussing personal sexual experiences to voyeuristic descriptions of others' bodies. In Western novels, storytelling often takes the form of a male intruding into a female's private space, using a series of scenes of uncovering, stripping, and penetrating to reveal the truth the reader seeks. Meanwhile, readers derive pleasure from the process of witnessing the truth being exposed. In the lyrical descriptions of classical poetry, the female body is often replaced by beautiful objects or placed in the world of secluded chambers. The body, attire, and various feminine accessories are juxtaposed, and through visually pleasing arrangements, different parts of the body are presented as subjects for odes. Alternatively, flowers and willows are used as metaphors or substitutes for the female body, such as "waists like willows," "cheeks like peaches," "lips like cherry blossoms," "Hai Tang spring sleep," and "red apricot blossoms escaping the walls." These alluring imagery conceals the sensual parts of a woman's body, decorating her as a delicate object.
With a solid foundation in classical literature and years of teaching at the East Asian Studies Department of Yale University, the author has accumulated extensive Western academic expertise. Employing a comparative analysis of Sino-Western cultures, the author introduces the sociological and anthropological concept of "gender" into the study of Chinese classical literature and contemporary aesthetic culture. The work rigorously examines and dissects widely "sexuality," "the body," and "desire," offering a broad perspective and fluent writing style. It is an invaluable high-quality cultural read.