Regional Cultural Memory of Bashu in Li Jieren’s “River Novels”
Guo Jianping,
Feng Zhijiao*
School of Foreign Languages, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China
Abstract:
Li Jieren’s “River Novels” - Ripples Across Stagnant Water,Before the Storm,The Great Wave - recreate the social transformations in Sichuan from the late Qing to the early Republican period through a grand narrative structure and meticulous detail, embodying the profound cultural depth of the Bashu region. This paper adopts the method of text analysis to systematically sort out the the representation of natural landscapes, folk customs, major historical events and the construction of Bashu character traits in these works, and further explores their significance for regional culture transmission and national memory. The study finds that Li Jieren imbues natural scenary with symbolic meaning that resonates with characters’ destinies and social upheavals; his descriptions of folk customs highlight the continuity and transformation of traditional culture amid historical change; the integration of major historical events positions the novels as literary witness of social change in modern China; and the portrayal of the characters vividly reflects the spiritual qualities of the Bashu people. In general, the “River Novels” not only construct a historical grounded narrative with strong regional characteristics, but also occupy a significant place in the history of modern Chinese literature. The study deepens our understanding of Li Jieren’s works and provides new perspectives for the preservation, transmission and cross-cultural dissemination of Bashu culture.
Keywords:
Li Jieren; River Novels; Bashu Regional Culture; Historical Narrative; Cultural Transmission; Cross-Cultural Dissemination
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