Introduction
Tie Ning is one of the most important Chinese writers of the 21st century, whose works have been translated into multiple languages. His work gives the readers an insight into the life of modern Chinese citizens, providing them with an understanding of their values, aspirations, problems, and concerns. By conducting a setting analysis of his work, one can better understand how Tie Ning’s representation of the setting contributes to the development of characters, plot, conflict, theme, and message. This essay will explore the role of the setting in Tie Ning’s work by exploring the topics of illustrating the disparities between rural and urban life, character development, the plot, and the conflict in the story. In his novel Ah, Xiangxue, Tie Ning’s choice of setting adds to the development of the storyline and characters, underlining the central concepts of inequality and autonomy.
Discussion
In the story Ah, Xiangxue, the setting demonstrates the difference between rural and urban life. Namely, the setting concerns life in China during the 1990s, a time of significant political and social changes. The story takes place in a rural area, and the characters are portrayed as living in poverty, relying only on themselves and nature. This setting highlights the inequalities between rural and urban life, as the characters cannot access the same opportunities and resources as those living in urban areas. For instance, the main character, Xiangxue, cannot find a job in her hometown, as the only available employment requires her to move to a faraway city (Ning). As a result, she must remain in her hometown, living in poverty and relying only on herself and nature. Thus, this example contributes to the understanding of the role of the setting by illustrating how it can be used to portray the disparities between different living environments.
The setting also contributes to the development of the characters as they become bolder and more independent. One can notice the new fashion that subtly influences the characters. For example, Feng Jiao is one of the protagonists in the story and is part of a wealthy family in the village. She is the youngest of her sisters and is known to be more adventurous in her choices and opinions. Even though her sisters tease her for her dreams of getting the attention of a worker nicknamed “Beijing Dialect” (Ning 22), she stands up for herself. Thus, Tie Ning’s use of setting to depict how the difference in the characters’ backgrounds affects their development highlights the key themes of inequality and autonomy in the story.
Finally, the setting of Ah, Xiangxue contributes to the plot development and the story’s conflict. The lack of job opportunities creates a sense of tension and suspense throughout the story, as the characters must constantly struggle against the odds to achieve their goals. Furthermore, the story’s setting also highlights the differences between the characters and their social status. For instance, the protagonist, Xiangxue, is a poor rural girl who is often overlooked by the wealthier characters in the story. This creates a sense of conflict between the characters, as each of them must fight for their interests. Thus, Tie Ning utilizes the setting to create a sense of conflict and tension, which adds to the development of the story plot and characters.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Tie Ning’s work Ah, Xiangxue effectively uses the setting to represent the disparities between rural and urban life and the inequalities between the characters and their social status. The setting also contributes to the development of the plot and the characters by creating a sense of tension and conflict. Therefore, the setting is essential for understanding the story’s themes and how it contributes to the development of characters, plot, and conflict. Tie Ning’s work is a story that speaks to various issues in contemporary China. Through this story, Tie Ning attempts to show how these issues can be addressed, highlighting the importance of fighting for one’s interests and standing up for oneself. It serves as a reminder that it is essential to fight for what one believes in and to stand up for oneself.
Work Cited
Ning, Tie. Ah, Xiangxue. Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2012.