Cultural nostalgia and historical memory in Bai Xianyong’s works: A focus on Taipei People

Department of Chinese Literature, Yulin Normal University, Yulin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 537000, China

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Abstract

This paper explores cultural nostalgia and historical memory in Taipei People, looking at how these themes are portrayed and their deeper meanings. The study discovers that cultural nostalgia in the novel not only extends a longing for one’s hometown; it also unveils the anxieties of historical rupture, political transformations, and individual identity crises. Although situated in Taipei, those characters’ emotions and memories remain deeply rooted the main land of China, reflecting a spatial dislocation between emotions and memories. Hence, historical memory in the novel is activated through the inner conflicts and spiritual pursuits, becoming a crucial factor in shaping cultural identity thus aiding characters in dealing identity crises and historical trauma. Finally, through a sophisticated narrative structure and symbolic expressions, the author presents a complex emotional relationship with traditional culture, illustrating the efforts of the diasporic community to restore and preserve their culture in a foreign land.