Use of Symbols and Metaphors in “The GoldenCangue” by Zhang Ailing

Use of Symbols and Metaphors in “The GoldenCangue” by Zhang Ailing

Introduction

Zhang Ailing is a famous and renowned Chinese novelist, short story writer, translator and essayist. She is also known by the name Eleen Chang. One of her most famous and appreciated piece of writing is her short story known as The Golden Cangue. The most highlighted qualities of this writing piece include simple and direct language. This deeply moral and realistic story by Ailing focuses on the ironies of human experiences. The Golden Cangue is a very well written story by Ailing that includes appropriate and interesting use of symbols, metaphors and imagery, especially nature imagery.

Discussion

“The Golden cangue” with most effective methods of storytelling defines the fate of the heroine of the story, Cao Qiqiao, her life and her psychological metamorphosis. The writing styles of The Golden Cangue seem very similar to that of the Chinese novel “The Dream of the Red Chamber” in the eighteen century. The novella however explains and describes the life events of a woman whose family forces her into a marriage that is enforced and loveless. The sufferings of this character are further told in the novella. The leading lady in the novella in the later part of the novel finally shows signs of anger as a reaction to her enforced marriage. Her frustration is further channeled to her children. Many of the themes, symbols and metaphors in this novella points to the everyday events occurring in the society including survival and anguish, clashes between family members, conflict and contradiction between duty and self-fulfillment, and compromised love. In particular, in the latter portion of the novel, the tragedies of unsuccessful love and failed marriages are highlighted.

The very title of the novella itself highlights the reflection ...