Malaysian Chinese literature and beyond : the narrative art of Li Zishu's middle-period fiction

Abstract

This thesis explores the evolution of Li Zishu's narrative techniques during her mid-career phase, focusing on how these strategies reshape cultural identity and narrative authority in Malaysian Chinese literature, in conjunction with Sinophone/Xenophone theoretical framework. The analysis begins with Li's transition from first-person narratives, characterized by self-examination and the othering of Malaysian Chinese identity, to the adoption of second-person narration. This shift invites a global readership into the narrative, emphasizing the transregional aspects of the Malaysian Chinese experience. This narrative progression culminates in Land of Floating Customs, where a polyphonic structure dismantles singular cultural interpretations, promoting a democratization of narrative perspectives. Structurally, The Age of Goodbyes employs metafictional layers to deconstruct narrative authority, revealing the constructed nature of Sinophone/Xenophone identities. Conversely, Land of Floating Customs creatively integrates classical narrative traditions with modern urban folklore, challenging conventional literary forms while drawing upon Chinese literary heritage. Additionally, Li's use of objects and spatial metaphors subtly addresses national identity issues, transforming cultural identity from a passive subject into an active, meaning-producing entity. Through these narrative innovations, Li Zishu's mid-career works not only redefine the position of Malaysian Chinese literature but also establish a dialogic model where Sinophone/Xenophone identities coexist as co-subjective entities.