Satire and Humor in Chinese Literature: A Distinct Presentation on How the Chinese Society Faces Social Issues With Humor, Essay Example

Introduction

Literature is a powerful tool that defines particular aspects of living that human individuals specifically respond to. It could be understood that somehow, it is because of this fact that literature has been seen to have a great impact on how a particular society develops[1]. The commentaries, the disdain presentation of truth through written works has a great effect on the psychological being of each person reading the said created piece. The situation is relatively true around all the different parts of the globe. Writers take different ways of presenting their ideas, most of them trying to convince people with their opinions through the use of persuasive argumentations. Others choose to present facts in a lighter yet more effective manner. Satire is one form of literary approach that makes facts a lot easier to accept while also convincing the audience to become more aware of the situation therefore encouraging them to think more of how they could be a part of the situation.

Satire served a good avenue for writers to take as they desire to make a new way of affecting the thinking of the people[2]. The emergence of communism in the nation as its base form of governance specifically made it harder for writers to practically present their thoughts to the public freely[3] (internet). Notably, satire provided them a better option of reaching their audience. In the discussion that follows, a distinct presentation on what satire is and how it is able to create a better option or field of presentation for writers to take, shall be given particular attention to. Giving consideration on the process by which satire was used and how it effectively managed to influence the thinking of the people shall be given clarification in the discussion that follows.

What is Satire?

Satire is a form of literature that uses humor to present facts and particular information that are specifically obvious in the society (Apte, 23).Notably, taking matters at a lighter indication of truth, satire hopes to get the attention of the audience through properly allowing them to show their conviction without having the fear of being criticized or being judged at any point. Most often than not, satire is considered as a form of escape for artists such as writers, playwrights, poets and even theatrical presenters[4]. This escape allows them to specifically point out their opinions about what is happening around them while giving the audience a chance to laugh, and later on think of the position that they ought to take in relation to the said emerging controversies.

Satire’s power to influence the community has worked well in civilizations where people are kept within a specific limitation especially in relation to how they are able to define their ideals as part of the community (Apte, 25). While the government prevented writers to voice out their thoughts and opinions freely, satire allowed them to express their thoughts with lesser strikes from the government and stronger appeal to the public.[5]

Often noted as double-edged art, satire aims to entertain the people; give them a chance to laugh at matters that are obviously true. The consistency of utilizing humor in satire presentations make each piece a point of laughter as the audience realize that they are part of the presentation they are reading or watching [in theaters]. Often times, the meaning of works based on satirical approaches is hidden. Aiming to not turn the heads of the critiques who could decide to stop the production of the art pieces or the literary works based on the said approach. This was where satire specifically began. However, at present, satire presentations in both literature and other forms of media are widely accepted [even in traditional countries like China] as they represent the facts about the most controversial issues in the society[6]. Hoping to awaken the thoughts of the community as they are encouraged to take action on the situation, these presentations hope to make a distinct impact on how the people are able to convincingly define their being alongside the satirical works presented to them.

The Chinese Literature

Instead of being angry and resentful about the form of governance that communism implies on the country, the Chinese writers have found a way to embrace the facts and make them work for the people’s own good. Satirical presentations have become a great way of distinctively presenting facts to the Chinese society ever since the beginning of the 20^th century[7]. According to Vincent Shih’s writing, Liu Hsieh, a satire Chinese writer, noted that such approach to writing has allowed the mending of the broken hearts, allowing the criticized ones to accept their plight and be able to make fun of the supposed hurtful emotions that they are specifically feeling (54). Most likely, Shih points out in his writing that the Chinese community and the administration have not been standing as one for many years. The politics that governs the society has proven a distinct effect on how the people viewed the government in an overall context.

Shih mentions that at times, loyalty, a value demanded by the government from the people, was not that easy to contend with. People them became harder to convince; if they are convinced to follow what the government imposes them to do, it was more likely out of fear. The satisfaction out of life that the people are supposed to experience specifically diminished under the communist rule. It was not hard to assume that the people were blindly following the policies and regulations of the government to simply survive. Speaking against the government and the ways of administration that it adapts to specifically places a person in a jeopardizing position[8]. This is why being ‘careful’ at all costs was a very important matter to consider especially for journalists and other feature writers. Artists were then very careful as to the message they send to the public. Most often than not, they feel the need to examine how and why they are supposed to present such facts. Many writers during the earlier ear of the rise of communism in China found that writing was rather a hard profession to take especially under such strict commands[9]. While some lost hope of sharing their opinion to others, there are those who remained specifically strong in their stand therefore allowing themselves to become highly effective in finding other courses of voicing out their opinions to the public.

Out of respect to the government, some writers intended to approach the matter of sharing information through humorous plight of writing. Still under the writing of Shih, he points out that poets took the risk of making an indicative condition of creating poems that are ‘entertaining’ but are also considered as a form of criticism to the target members of the society they hope to affect accordingly. Writers were extra keen to see that the messages they send to the people are clear and yet not evasive to the eyes of the government, only through thorough reading and thinking would they be able to recognize that it is their way of living or administration that is being referred to in each work.[10]

Satire was then considered as a device to reach the people with the opinions and thoughts of the writers. The approach was rather direct while it is also considered ‘hidden’ to those who may not understand the nature of the said process of writing.Most likely, it is with this considerably approach that instead of being angry and resentful about their situation, the Chinese community was able to recognize the need to accept matters as they come and become more effective in bringing their emotions out than simply wallowing over the situations that they have been subjected to. Hoping to bring the necessary change that the society needs, satirical Chinese writers wanted to point out their ideal ways of living through their work and convincing the people about it through implicating better ways of defining their course of writing[11].

It has been realized by most writers that referring to a particular matter without directly using its term in the written work actually makes the matter seem rather light to the ears and perception of first time readers[12]. Metaphor played a great role in sending out practical distinctions on how meaning was masked behind the humor of each line (Minford, 2001). Relatively, it could be understood that, this approach made it easier for the writers to improve the way they affect their readers accordingly. Most likely, it could be understood that it is through this that the relativity of facts with that of the supposed creation of diversion on the meaning being presented to the readers is specifically created.

To note an example of this form of writing, QianZhongshu writes: “Eating rice is like getting married” (50)[13]…here he notes that marriage is something that brings about the goodness out of the very meaning of life itself. It may not be as flavorful as expected, but it is able to bring out the best out of life as expected when it comes to living with a mate compared to living life alone. Another notable presentation of satire in Chinese prose is that of the example from Lu Xun’s writing as he notes “…there was once a woman who was a servant in a foreign devil’s household”….(196)[14]. From this line, Xun was not referring to an actual woman nor an actual devil; nevertheless, he is referring to China, being specifically treated as a servant by another foreign country, aiming to explore its riches and exploit its resources for the sake of their own gain.

From this particular example, it could be noted how satirical Chinese writers intended to make sure that their messages are sent out to the ones who are supposed to hear them. The words may be indirect, but the messages strike the thoughts of the readers therefore aiming to dictate a specific point of change among those who have the power to do so. If the approach is not successful enough to indicate change, it is safe to say that simply getting the people to agree and be aware of the real situations enveloping their society is enough for the literature and the writer to say that the goal has been achieved successfully.

Reflection

From this particular research, it has been learned that literary works could vary when it comes to the function that they play in the society. Writers in China have realized that their power come a responsibility of leading their people into a much better and much clarified direction on how to live more fulfilling lives even when under the direction of a communist administration (Minford, 2001). Relatively, with such responsibility, writers also knew the risks that they were going to take. These risks were nothing of a joke, instead, they are serious and they are expected to have an implication on the being of the writers as well as the threats and risks may have a great impact on the concept of living that they may want to lead.

This is the reason why satire provided a better avenue for writers to take in relation to their desire to serve as the voice of their nation while lessening the risks that they were to face in front of the communist governance that envelops the country (Knechtges, 2000). At present, satire and modern Chinese literature has become two unified foundation in helping the society be healed from all the anger and resentments they may have with the government. Although not fully heard, bit by bit, writers are able to provide a voice to the people that affect the administration’s movement as the writers now pave the way towards the realization of a more global China.

Conclusion

In a world where conflict is rampant, writers and artists ought to be careful enough to consider that their works are strong enough to implicate change into the minds of the people. Being writers, creators of literary pieces are considered to hold the strongest tool to ever exist in human history, the pen. Utilizing the right words and manipulating how each word is presented as part of a whole work specifically gives the writer a chance to make a great change in the society, a distinct process that creates a new system that embodies a new society. Starting with the people and working towards the administration, words used in the right place at the right time could help in easing out particular controversial issues in the society. In relation to the role played by the Chinese satirical writers, it could be understood that their power is specifically characterized by the way they are able to put humor while attacking the issues of the community. Although radical changes are not yet easily realized in the country, the works of these writers specifically affect the thinking of the people therefore creating a distinct effect on how the people are relatively able to mandate the course of development that the country is supposed to take into account.

References:

Apte, Mahadev L (1985), “Introduction”, Humor and laughter: an anthropological approach, p. 23. Prentice Hall Publishing.http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/540824?uid=3738824&uid=2&uid=4&sid=21102986516013. (Retrieved on November 18, 2013).

Knechtges, D. (2000).Wit, humor and satire in early Chinese literature. Yale University. http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/40725918?uid=3738824&uid=2&uid=4&sid=21102992103783. (Retrieved on November 18, 2013).

Minford, J. (2001). Classical Chinese Literature: An Anthology of Translations.http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=GV8BltnoGGMC&pg=PA206&lpg=PA206&dq=satire+in+chinese+literature&source=bl&ots=rkEgeHmdP4&sig=0p6pOrQyDLAI1Y6tNQrM8Feub9M&hl=en&sa=X&ei=LPmJUqOgNI-_kgW_xICQDw&ved=0CE8Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=satire%20in%20chinese%20literature&f=false. (Retrieved on November 18, 2013).

Shih, Vincent. (2002). Satire in Chinese Communist Literature.http://nthur.lib.nthu.edu.tw/retrieve/72581/JA01_1968_p54.pdf. (Retrieved on November 18, 2013).

Xun, Lu. (1981). On Photography.

Zhongshu, Qian. Written in the Margins of Life: Eating.

[1]Apte, Mahadev L (1985), “Introduction”, Humor and laughter: an anthropological approach, p. 23. Prentice Hall Publishing.

[2] Knechtges, D. Wit, humor and satire in early Chinese literature. Yale University.

[3]Shih, Vincent. (2002). Satire in Chinese Communist Literature. http://nthur.lib.nthu.edu.tw/retrieve/72581/JA01_1968_p54.pdf. (Retrieved on November 18, 2013).

[4]Apte, Mahadev L (1985), “Introduction”, Humor and laughter: an anthropological approach, p. 23. Prentice Hall Publishing.

[5] Knechtges, D. Wit, humor and satire in early Chinese literature. Yale University.

[6]Apte, Mahadev L (1985), “Introduction”, Humor and laughter: an anthropological approach, p. 23. Prentice Hall Publishing.

[7]Shih, Vincent. (2002). Satire in Chinese Communist Literature. http://nthur.lib.nthu.edu.tw/retrieve/72581/JA01_1968_p54.pdf. (Retrieved on November 18, 2013).

[8]Shih, Vincent. (2002). Satire in Chinese Communist Literature. http://nthur.lib.nthu.edu.tw/retrieve/72581/JA01_1968_p54.pdf. (Retrieved on November 18, 2013).

[9]Shih, Vincent. (2002). Satire in Chinese Communist Literature.http://nthur.lib.nthu.edu.tw/retrieve/72581/JA01_1968_p54.pdf. (Retrieved on November 18, 2013).

[10] Minford, 2001.

[11]Apte, Mahadev L (1985), “Introduction”, Humor and laughter: an anthropological approach, p. 23. Prentice Hall

[12]Apte, Mahadev L (1985), “Introduction”, Humor and laughter: an anthropological approach, p. 23. Prentice Hall Publishing.http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/540824?uid=3738824&uid=2&uid=4&sid=21102986516013. (Retrieved on November 18, 2013).

[13]Zhongshu, Qian. Written in the Margins of Life: Eating.

[14]Xun, Lu. (1981). On Photography.