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2023/24 School of Chinese Research Student Seminar

以俗為雅：黎紫書的小說敘事藝術

Between Elite and Popularity: The Narrative Art of Li Zishu's Fictions

Speaker: Miss ZHANG Mingying 張明滢 (MPhil)

Date & Time: April 26, 2024 (Fri) 17:30-18:45pm

Language: Putonghua

Venue: CPD-3.01, Central Podium Level 3, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus, HKU

Mode of Delivery: Face-to-face

Abstract:

黎紫書是當代馬華著名作家，她的作品豐富，既有現代主義對語言文字、敘事技巧的雕琢，也兼現實主義反映現實生活的訴求。是次報告聚焦她的敘事藝術，從俗人俗世的敘事主題、「我—你—他」的敘事人稱變化，以及長篇小說中多變的敘事結構這三方面討論黎紫書以俗為雅的敘事方式。在敘事主題上，作者對「俗物」賦予象徵含義來寄託國族理想，用心可謂大雅。在人稱上，第一人稱「我」的創作時期偏向感性，側重人物情緒的宣洩與情節的戲劇離奇，第二人稱「你」的創作時期開始轉向知性，啟發讀者觀察和思考，而「他」的使用則透露敘事上更客觀的冷靜，將刻畫重心從人物的內在心理移到了外部的社會交互。最後，本報告以《告別的年代》（2010）與《流俗地》（2020）這兩篇長篇小說分析其多變的敘事結構。前者的多線結構使得讀者關注其形式多於故事，而後者則相反，結構鬆散，從人名、地名及物件的串連中刻畫俗人俗事。

Li Zishu is a famous contemporary Malaysian Chinese writer, and wrote a rich body of work which encompasses both the intricate language and narrative techniques of modernism, as well as the realistic portrayal of everyday life. This talk focuses on three aspects of her narrative art, namely, the representation of of the secular world of contemporary Malaysia, the use of different narrative voices, and the diverse use of different narrative structures, all of which contribute to her elite yet popular storytelling style. Regarding narrative themes, the author imbues "mundane objects" with symbolic meanings to express national ideals, demonstrating a thoughtful approach. In terms of narrative perspective, the first-person "I" narrative tends towards emotiveness, emphasizing the emotional release of characters and dramatic plot twists, while the second-person "you" narrative shifts towards intellectuality, prompting readers to observe and contemplate. The use of the third-person "he/she" perspective reveals a more objective and detached narrative approach, shifting the focus from the internal psyche of the characters to the external dynamics of social interactions. Finally, this report analyzes the diverse narrative structures in two of her novels, "The Age of Goodbyes" (2010) and "Vulgar Land" (2020). The former's multi-linear structure directs attention more towards its form than its story, while the latter, in contrast, features a loose structure that portrays mundane events and people through the interconnectedness of names, places, and objects.

ALL are welcome*

*Pre-registration (Click HERE) is requested.