This MA thesis, “Inside the Heart of the Taiwanese High School: the Representation of the Classroom and its Students in Four Taiwanese High School Films”, examines how in Blue Gate Crossing, Winds...Show moreThis MA thesis, “Inside the Heart of the Taiwanese High School: the Representation of the Classroom and its Students in Four Taiwanese High School Films”, examines how in Blue Gate Crossing, Winds of September, You Are the Apple of My Eye, and Our Times, the classroom and its students are portrayed. I argue that the classroom is not solely used for teaching classes. Instead, the portrayal of the classroom and its students are more focused on the social aspects of the room. Dividing the social functions of the classroom in five themes, which are: the classroom as a social meeting point, the classroom as a place of loneliness, the classroom as a place of rest, the classroom as a place of friction, and rebellion against the authorities, the classroom becomes the center of the student's life during their six-year long stay.Show less
Yang Guifei is considered to be one of China’s most beautiful women. Her beauty is portrayed in several Chinese historical and literary writings over the ages. Each generation of (mostly male)...Show moreYang Guifei is considered to be one of China’s most beautiful women. Her beauty is portrayed in several Chinese historical and literary writings over the ages. Each generation of (mostly male) authors is influenced by the technique of the male gaze and imbued her with their own contemporary beauty ideals creating new, updated versions of Yang as the perfect beauty. Most of the descriptions of Yang Guifei’s beauty tend to be general and are applicable to any beautiful woman in premodern China. Trends that remain consistent through time are cloud-like hair, red cheeks and lips, a creamy bosom and a white skin. Changes in the portrayal of her beauty can be found in the way of presenting her physique and feet.Show less
Despite the fact that China is well-known for its lengthy literary history, children’s literature is a relatively young concept which was only introduced in the 20th century – much later than in...Show moreDespite the fact that China is well-known for its lengthy literary history, children’s literature is a relatively young concept which was only introduced in the 20th century – much later than in most Western countries. However, in this short period of time, children’s literature has been able to flourish in China and has become an indispensable part of its enormous publishing market today. In this thesis, the current Chinese children’s literature market is explored in depth by not only looking at existing written sources, but also by conducting fieldwork in four bookstores in Beijing. This fieldwork can be divided into three separate categories, namely mapping of the bookstores, observing its products and costumers, and interviewing 42 Chinese parents. By analyzing how the Chinese children’s literature market as portrayed in written sources is reflected in these bookstores, this research has shown that the children’s literature market is indeed a booming business, but it has also shed light on other aspects of the market, such as the fact that there are still very serious problems that need to be solved in order to guarantee the ongoing success of children’s literature in China.Show less
