Abstract: Being part of the mainstream of American literature, Chinese American literature has gained growing attention in recent years. The thesis aims to analyze Kingston’s alteration on traditional Chinese culture by scrutinizing The Woman Warrior. As a descendant of early Chinese immigrants, Kingston’s bicultural backgrounds provide her with a unique and relatively objective visual angle. On the one hand, Kingston’s incomprehension of the Chinese-style behaviors, dislike of misogyny and sharp criticism of the feudal superstition in The Woman Warrior demonstrate her critical perspective of traditional Chinese culture. On the other hand, influenced by her parents and villagers in Chinatown, she employs a great deal of Chinese cultural elements in The Woman Warrior. Although Kingston adapts Chinese myths and legends, the traditional Chinese virtues that are glorified in original Chinese myths and legends are still extolled in her version. The paper concludes that Kingston’s attitude towards traditional Chinese culture in The Woman Warrior is critical inheritance.

Key words: The Woman Warrior; traditional Chinese culture; Chinese virtues；critical inheritance

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction1

1.1 Introduction to Maxine Hong Kingston

  1.2 Introduction to The Woman Warrior

2. Kingston’s Critical Perspective of Traditional Chinese Culture in The Woman Warrior.3

2.1 Incomprehension of the Chinese-style Behaviors

2.2 Dislike of Misogyny

2.3 Sharp Criticism of the Feudal Superstition

  2.4 Kingston’s Resistance

3. Kingston’s Inheritance of  Traditional Chinese Culture in The Woman Warrior.7

  3.1 Employment of  Chinese Cultural Elements

3.2 Dissemination of  Traditional Chinese Virtues

3.3 Adherence to Chinese Traditions in The Woman Warrior

4. Conclusion

Bibliography.

Acknowledgements