Midnight: A Romance of China, 1930
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| Working title | 夕阳 (Xiyang) |
|---|---|
| Genre | Realism |
| Set in | Shanghai |
| Publication place | China |
Ziye (子夜) or in English Midnight: A Romance of China, 1930, is a 1933 novel by Chinese author Mao Dun. It is a realist depiction of life in contemporary Shanghai. In addition to the full edition, there were also abridged editions of the novel in publication.[1] The novel depicts the wealth and modernity of modern-Shanghai, influenced by foreign colonialism and capitalism. However Western modernity frightens the protagonists father, who is a member of the Chinese landed gentry from the countryside.[2]
Mao Dun depicts the modernity of Shanghai with purple prose, like "three 1930-model Citroens", electric lights, Browning rifles, "Grafton gauze" flannel suits. The novel also uses English terms like "beauty parlors" and a "neon" sign with the words "Light, Heat, Power!", which appears on the first page.
References
- ^ "Abridged Versions of Mao Dun's Ziye (Midnight)" (PDF). fphil.uniba.sk. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
- ^ "Alternative Modernities - Andrew Wachtel - Google Books". Google.com. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
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