12.3 Rural-Urban Divide in Contemporary Chinese Fiction

The rural-urban divide in contemporary Chinese fiction reflects the country's rapid modernization and its impact on society. Authors use contrasting environments to highlight disparities in living conditions, cultural norms, and opportunities between rural and urban spaces.

These literary works often critique societal changes brought by urbanization and economic development. They explore themes of identity, belonging, and cultural heritage, using characters' journeys between rural and urban settings to illustrate personal struggles and societal transformations.

Rural vs Urban Spaces in Chinese Fiction

Contrasting Environments

Top images from around the web for Contrasting Environments

• 

  The goal, path, and policy responses of China’s new urbanization | China Finance and Economic ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Necessary Way for the Development of China’s Rural Areas in the New Era-Rural Revitalization ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Income inequality in China and the urban-rural divide - Journalist's Resource View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The goal, path, and policy responses of China’s new urbanization | China Finance and Economic ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Necessary Way for the Development of China’s Rural Areas in the New Era-Rural Revitalization ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Contrasting Environments

• 

  The goal, path, and policy responses of China’s new urbanization | China Finance and Economic ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Necessary Way for the Development of China’s Rural Areas in the New Era-Rural Revitalization ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Income inequality in China and the urban-rural divide - Journalist's Resource View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The goal, path, and policy responses of China’s new urbanization | China Finance and Economic ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Necessary Way for the Development of China’s Rural Areas in the New Era-Rural Revitalization ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Contemporary Chinese fiction often depicts stark contrasts between rural and urban environments, highlighting the disparities in living conditions, cultural norms, and socioeconomic opportunities
• Rural spaces are frequently portrayed as traditional, agrarian, and closely connected to nature, while urban spaces are depicted as modern, industrialized, and often alienating
  • In Mo Yan's "Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out," the rural setting is characterized by its adherence to traditional values and agricultural way of life, while the urban setting is marked by rapid modernization and social upheaval
  • Yu Hua's "To Live" portrays the rural village as a tight-knit community with strong familial bonds, while the urban areas are depicted as chaotic and impersonal

Critiques and Narrative Devices

• The portrayal of rural and urban spaces in contemporary Chinese fiction often reflects the authors' critiques of the societal changes brought about by China's rapid urbanization and economic development
  • Authors may use the contrast between rural and urban settings to highlight the loss of traditional values, environmental degradation, and social inequalities that have accompanied China's modernization
  • For example, in Yan Lianke's "Dream of Ding Village," the rural setting serves as a microcosm for the devastating impact of China's blood-selling scandal and the government's mishandling of the crisis
• The depiction of rural and urban spaces may also serve as a narrative device to explore themes of identity, belonging, and cultural heritage
  • Characters' journeys between rural and urban settings often parallel their personal struggles to reconcile their traditional roots with the demands of modern society
  • In Jia Pingwa's "Ruined City," the protagonist's movement between his rural hometown and the urban center of Xi'an reflects his moral descent and eventual redemption

Implications of the Rural-Urban Divide

Social Inequalities and Economic Disparities

• The rural-urban divide in contemporary Chinese fiction often highlights the social inequalities and economic disparities between rural and urban populations
  • Rural characters are often depicted as facing limited access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, while urban characters are shown to have greater access to these resources
  • For example, in Liu Cixin's "The Three-Body Problem," the rural protagonist's struggle to pursue his scientific interests is contrasted with the relative ease with which urban characters can access educational and professional opportunities
• The economic implications of the rural-urban divide are frequently explored through the depiction of rural migrants seeking work in urban centers, often facing exploitation and discrimination
  • Ha Jin's "A Free Life" portrays the challenges faced by rural migrants in the United States, including low-wage jobs, cultural barriers, and discrimination from urban residents
  • Yan Geling's "The Flowers of War" depicts the exploitation of rural women who are forced to work as prostitutes in urban brothels during the Nanjing Massacre

Environmental Consequences and Social Tensions

• The environmental consequences of rapid urbanization and industrialization are also addressed in contemporary Chinese fiction, with rural spaces often serving as a symbol of ecological balance and sustainability, while urban spaces are associated with pollution and environmental degradation
  • In Jiang Rong's "Wolf Totem," the rural Mongolian grasslands are portrayed as a harmonious ecosystem threatened by the encroachment of urban development and industrial agriculture
  • Chen Qiufan's "The Waste Tide" depicts the devastating impact of e-waste recycling on a rural village, highlighting the environmental and health consequences of urban consumption patterns
• The social implications of the rural-urban divide are often portrayed through the challenges faced by characters navigating between rural and urban identities, as well as the tensions that arise from the clash of traditional and modern values
  • In Liu Zhenyun's "I Did Not Kill My Husband," the rural protagonist's struggle to adapt to urban life and maintain her traditional values is complicated by her involvement in a murder investigation that exposes the corruption and moral decay of the city
  • Su Tong's "Raise the Red Lantern" explores the tensions between traditional rural values and modern urban attitudes through the story of a young woman who becomes a concubine in a wealthy urban household

Symbolism of Rural and Urban Settings

Metaphors for Tradition and Modernity

• In many contemporary Chinese novels, rural settings serve as symbols of tradition, authenticity, and a connection to cultural roots, while urban settings represent modernity, progress, and the loss of cultural identity
  • Mo Yan's "Red Sorghum" uses the rural setting of a sorghum field as a symbol of the resilience and vitality of traditional Chinese culture, while the urban settings in the novel are associated with the destructive forces of war and foreign influence
  • In Yu Hua's "Chronicle of a Blood Merchant," the rural village serves as a symbol of the protagonist's moral compass and connection to his family history, while the urban hospital where he sells his blood represents the corrupting influence of modern materialism
• The juxtaposition of rural and urban spaces can be interpreted as a metaphor for the broader societal tensions and transformations taking place in contemporary China
  • Jia Pingwa's "Shaanxi Opera" uses the contrast between the rural Shaanxi province and the urban centers of Beijing and Xi'an to explore the cultural and economic disparities between China's interior and coastal regions
  • In Ge Fei's "Peach Blossom Beauty," the rural peach orchard and the urban red-light district serve as metaphors for the protagonist's conflicted desires and the moral ambiguity of modern Chinese society

Symbols of Innocence and Corruption

• Rural settings may also be used as a metaphor for a simpler, more innocent way of life, while urban settings can symbolize the corrupting influence of materialism and consumerism
  • In Bi Feiyu's "The Moon Opera," the rural opera troupe represents a purer form of artistic expression untainted by the commercial imperatives of the urban entertainment industry
  • Yan Lianke's "Serve the People!" uses the rural military base as a symbol of the idealistic early days of the Communist revolution, while the urban Beijing setting represents the decadence and corruption of the later years of the regime
• The journey of characters between rural and urban spaces can be interpreted as a metaphor for personal growth, self-discovery, and the search for belonging in a rapidly changing society
  • In Jia Pingwa's "Ruined City," the protagonist's movement between rural and urban spaces symbolizes his moral descent and eventual redemption
  • Luo Yijun's "The Gourmet and Other Stories" uses the characters' travels between rural and urban settings as a metaphor for their emotional and psychological journeys, as they navigate the complexities of modern Chinese society

Rural vs Urban Characters

Differing Experiences and Perspectives

• Contemporary Chinese fiction often explores the differing experiences and perspectives of rural and urban characters, highlighting the cultural, social, and economic divides between these groups
• Rural characters are often depicted as more deeply connected to traditional values, family ties, and community bonds, while urban characters are portrayed as more individualistic and detached from their cultural roots
  • In Jia Pingwa's "Happy Dreams," the rural protagonist's strong sense of filial piety and community responsibility is contrasted with the urban characters' pursuit of individual success and material wealth
  • Yan Geling's "The Banquet Bug" portrays the rural protagonist's struggle to maintain her traditional values and family connections in the face of the urban elite's obsession with status and conspicuous consumption
• The experiences of rural migrants in urban settings are frequently contrasted with those of urban residents, emphasizing the challenges of adaptation, discrimination, and cultural dislocation faced by rural characters in the city
  • In Fan Wu's "February Flowers," the rural protagonist's difficulties in adjusting to urban university life and forming friendships with her urban classmates highlight the cultural and social barriers faced by rural students in China's cities
  • Ha Jin's "A Map of Betrayal" explores the experiences of a rural Chinese spy living in urban America, highlighting the challenges of cultural adaptation and the longing for home and family

Juxtaposing Values and Worldviews

• The perspectives of rural and urban characters on issues such as modernization, consumerism, and social change are often juxtaposed to illustrate the competing values and worldviews that characterize contemporary Chinese society
  • In Li Peifu's "Ruyan@SARS.com," the rural protagonist's skepticism towards modern technology and media is contrasted with the urban characters' embrace of the internet and social media as tools for social change and self-expression
  • Ge Fei's "Flock of Brown Birds" portrays the conflicting attitudes of rural and urban characters towards the environmental and social costs of China's rapid industrialization
• The relationships between rural and urban characters, whether familial, romantic, or professional, are often used to explore the tensions, misunderstandings, and reconciliations that arise from the rural-urban divide
  • In Yu Hua's "Brothers," the relationship between the two main characters, one rural and one urban, serves to highlight the stark differences in their experiences and perspectives, as well as the enduring bond that connects them despite their divergent paths
  • Su Tong's "Wives and Concubines" explores the power dynamics and cultural tensions between the rural concubines and the urban wives in a wealthy household, reflecting the broader social hierarchies and gender inequalities in Chinese society