A Brief Study of Yao Mulan

1、A Study of Yao Mulans Life Philosophic ValuesStudent name: Huang Peipei Class: 060514Supervisor: Huang Lihua Abstract: Moment in Peking was a novel written by Lin Yutang in Paris from 1938 the August to 1939 the September, which brought him several nominations for Nobel Literature prize. Moment in P

2、eking is a long story, which starts from the Boxer Rebellion in 1905 and concluded in Sino-Japanese war in 1935, and is about the experience and attitude of the characters from Yao, Zeng and Niu families. The lives of the major characters are changed with the changes of history. Yao Mulan, the eldes

3、t daughter of the Yao family, is the leading lady through whom the author expresses most of his philosophic theories toward life. These theories include Taoists liberal ideas to life and Confucians positive attitude to social reform and activities.This article introduces Yao Mulans life philosophic

4、values and selective analysis the formation of these values, and the influences and reflections these values upon Mulans life experiences and personality.Mulan mainly was influenced by thoughts of Taoism and Confucianism, and she was a Taoist inside her mind, and complied with some Confucianism rule

5、s outside.The reasons for the formation of Mulans philosophic values of life are: Firstly, fathers influence； Secondly, the mothers influence；Thirdly, Mulans personal experiences and the instable society. Mulans father was a Taoist, and his thoughts had given Mulan a profound influence, while her mo

6、ther gave her Confucian worldly wisdom, and the instable social environment and her own experiences made Mulan a stronger woman, and clear her direction of life.Mulans life philosophic values reflected in her thoughts and wisdom, in the control of her marriage and love and in her personalities.Key w

7、ords: Lin Yutang, Yao Mulan, Taoism, Confucianism.浅析京华烟云中姚木兰的人生哲学观学生姓名：黄佩佩 班级：060514指导老师：黄立华摘要：京华烟云是林语堂于1938年8月到1939年九月旅居巴黎时写就的长篇小说，林语堂凭借这部作品几次获得了诺贝尔文学奖的提名。京华烟云所讲述的故事包含了姚、曾、牛三个家庭，从1905年义和团运动到1935年抗日战争三十余年间的生活经历。书中主人公的生活随历史的浮沉而兰是姚家的长女，也是小说的女主人公。通过她，作者较为集中地表达了他的人生哲学观，包括道家向往自由的人生观，以及儒家对待社会活动积极的出世态度等。本文

8、介绍了姚木兰的人生哲学，并且重点分析了她人生哲学形成的原因，以及这些人生观对木兰生活经历产生的影响和在她身上的表现。木兰主要受道家思想和儒家思想两方面的影响，形成了外道内儒的人生哲学观。木兰人生哲学观形成的原因有：首先，父亲的影响，其次，母亲的影响，再次，社会环境和个人的经历。父亲对木兰道家思想的形成有着非常深刻的影响，母亲给了木兰儒家世俗的智慧，而动荡不安的社会环境和木兰自身的经历让木兰变得更加坚强，并且明确了自己人生的方向。木兰的人生哲学观在她生活的各个方面表现出来，在木兰的思想和智慧，木兰对婚姻和爱情的把握，以及木兰的性格上都有所表现。关键词：林语堂，姚木兰，道，儒， 1 Introdu

9、ction Lin Yutang was born in Long Xi, Zhang Zhou, and South of Fujian in 1895, the third son of Pastor Lin Zhicheng. He first studied in a free missionary school in Xiamen, and then went to Shanghai St Johns University where he mainly studied English and Theology. In 1916, after graduate, Lin accept

10、ed a teaching post at QingHua College in Beijing, from where he realized how small the confines of his Christian education and began to study traditional Chinese culture and philosophy. Lin Yutang was one of the most well-known writers both in East and West. In 1975, in the 41st International associ

11、ation o Poets, Editors, Essayists (PEN), he was selected as General assistant President of the association. And whats more, he was nominated for the candidate of Nobel Literature Prize. Lin Yutang had made a great contribution to the exchange of Chinese culture and foreign culture. He once said to h

12、imself was “two feet to cross over the eastern and western culture; one heart to comment the global articles.”In his whole life time, Lin Yutang translated many Chinese classics into English, among which the most famous one is Six Chapters of a Floating Life. And he himself produced many great works

13、 too. The most well-known one is Moment in Peking. Moment in Peking was finished by Lin in 1939 in Paris, when the Sino-Japanese war was broke out in China. Before the writing, Lin was thought of translating the Chinese classic The Red Chamber Dream into English, but time of this novel set was too l

14、ong ago from Lins day, so he changed his mind to produce another novel which set the background in the modern time. The structure of Moment in Peking is similar to The Red Chamber Dream. And some of the natures of the characters in Moment in Peking were got from the characters of The Red Dream Chamb

15、er. In Moment in Peking, the protagonist Yao Mulan was similar with Chen Yun in Six Chapters of a Floating Life, who is also a very talented and elegent woman. Lin Yutang said in the preface of the Six Chapters of a Floating Life, “Yun. I think, is one of the loveliest women in Chinese literature. S

16、he is not the most beautiful. for the author ,her husband, does not make that claim, and yet who can deny that she is the loveliest?” 林语堂 1936:2 Lin Yutang spends five months in designing the characters and plot of the novel, and a total year to finish this masterpiece. This work enjoyed a great pop

17、ularity in the West, and it was also this work which brought Lin the nomination of Nobel Literature Prize. “it is the only classic Chinese novel in English.”John Day 1939:26 The Time magazine commented. Commented This long story started from 1901 to 1935, during this period of time, China was in tur

18、moil and happened many historical events，such as Boxer Rebellion and the May 4th Moment.Moment in Peking is about the life experience of people from three families: Yao, Zeng and New Family, and their attitudes toward the changing society. The relationship between the characters is well fermented by

19、 author. Lin Yutang put many Chinese philosophic thoughts into the nature of characters. For example, Yao Sian is a devout Taoist, but the old Zeng is deeply affected by Confucianism. It is obvious that Lin Yutang put through this book by Taoism, at the beginning of the book, Lin Yutang cites the wo

20、rds from Chuangtse, “To Tao, the zenith is not high, nor the nadir low; no point in time is long ago, nor by lapse of ages has it grown old.” Its a signal that the dominant thought of the book is Taoism. But the situation is so complicated in that society that there are many changing factors which i

21、nfluenced the natures and personalities of the characters. “Yao Mulan, the eldest daughter in the Yao family, manifesting this point mostly. Under many influencing factors, a particular view towards the world and life is forming in her; these factors are from her family, friends, her own experience

22、and the changing society.” 谭静 2006:102. Mulans philosophic valuesAt the beginning of the story, Lin Yutang cites the words of Chuangtse, “To Tao, the zenith is not high, nor the nadir low: no point in time is long ago, nor by lapse of ages has it grown old.” 林语堂 1939：2 It is a signal that the though

23、t of Tao School is run through the whole story.Yao Mulan, the protagonist of the story, is from the wealthy Yao family. She is a lively, intelligent, and generous, as well as extremely responsible woman. Her father, Yao Sian, is a really Taoist, who always encourage Mulans interests and deeply influ

24、enced her outlook on life. On the other hand, Mulans mother is a typical Chinese traditional and conservative woman, in her view, the duty of a woman is to be a good wife, being expert at needlework and housewifery, capable of conceiving and nurturing child. Mulan grows up under the influence of her

25、 father and mother, her outlook on life is a unit of Taoism and ConfucianismTaoism has influenced East Asia for over two millennia and the West for over two centuries. The word “Tao” means “path” or “way”. Although in Chinese folk religion and philosophy it has taken on more abstract meanings. Taois

26、t emphasizes The Three Jewels of Tao: compassion, moderation, and humility. Taoist generally focuses on nature, men cosmos correspondence, health, longevity, Wu Wei, liberty and spontaneity. Taoism is the romantic school of Chinese thought. Firstly, it stands for the return to nature and the romanti

27、c escape from the world. Secondly, it stands for the rural ideal of life, art and literature, and the worship of primitive simplicity. Thirdly, it stands for the world of fancy and wonder, coupled with a childishly naive cosmogony. Yao Mulan is a nature lover; she is lively and enjoys traveling. Whe

28、n she was a child, she went to Taishan with Zeng family, and she really enjoyed the experience. When she went and lived beside the West Lake in Hang Zhou, she deeply fascinated by the beauty of the lake and dressed herself lake a country woman: She want to be a person who lives outside the world. In

29、side Mulan, she is a Taoist.Different from Taoism, Confucianism is belong to the classic school, it is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teaching of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. It is a complex system of moral, social, political, philosophical, and quasi-religious t

30、hought that has tremendous influence on the culture and history of East China. It might be considered a state religion of some East Asian countries, because of governmental promotion of Confucian philosophies. Cultures and countries strongly influenced by Confucianism include mainland China, Taiwan,

31、 Korea, and Vietnam, as well as various territories settled predominantly by Chinese people, such as Singapore. In Confucianism, human beings are teachable, improvable and perfectible through personal and endeavor especially including self-cultivation and self-creation. Confucianism advocates people

32、 going into society and making contribution to the society. In Moment in Peking, the Zeng family is belonging to Confucianism. After Mulan married to Sunya, her life was to some extend limited by Zeng family, because they want a daughter-in-law to be stay indoor and dutiful. So as a result, Mulan mu

33、st make some promise with the really life and to be a Confucius outside.Social environment equally influenced Mulans outlook. This story started from the Boxer Rebellion and ended in Sino-Japanese war. In this period of time, China has witnessed many great historic events. China was in turmoil. Alth

34、ough Mulan was born in a wealthy family, she also has shared the grief of a common Chinese people. When she was a child, she lost in the way of escape and then kidnapped by several Boxers. As a mother, her daughter sacrificed in student movement, and she sent her son to the front. In such circumstan

35、ces, Mulan didnt lose herself, but face the reality. This age and society taught her much about how to be a great woman.3. Inside Taoism, outside Confucianism3.1 Daughter of a TaoistIn Moment in Peking, the old Yao and Mulan are typical of Taoist thoughts. Yao Sian, or the old Yao, is a real Taoist.

36、 He pursues the peace of mind and Free from vulgarity. He spent ten years of time traveling throughout China, and finding “self” in nature. As Zhuangzi once said, follow the changes of environment and develop our personalities naturally we can get relative happiness and peace. When Mulan was just a

37、little girl, her father never limited her life with traditional rules, but encouraged her to like what she liked, and to learn what she wanted to learn. For instance, Mulan had never bound her feet like other feudal Chinese women. “To some extent, Mulan lived a relative free life in her childhood, a

38、nd became a modern, brilliant, optimistic and easygoing woman.” 詹声斌 2003:23Due to her fathers influence, Mulan become a Taoist inside. She likes to climb the mountain and traveling scenic monastery. She also used to follow natures way of life.When she was old enough to get married, her parents have

39、decided to marry her to Sunya, the third son of Zeng family. She was secretly in love with Lifu, and the fact made her very sad and depressed, but she didnt resist her parents willing and married herself to Sunya obediently. On the other hand, her sister Mochou was married to Lifu. After getting mar

40、ried, she was not jealous of her sister, or ignoring her husband. On the contrary, she had been a good wife, a good sister and sister-in-law. Mulan put her love for Lifu deeply in mind.Mulans sister-in-law Niu Suyun was a very selfish and bossy woman, who was Sunyas brother, Jinyas wife. After Mulan

41、 married to Sunya, they all lived together in Zeng house. Suyun thought her maiden home was richer than Mulans, it was not fair for all the Zeng family like Mulan more then her, so on many occasions, Suyun sneered at Mulan, or against Mulan by words. To all these, Mulan just be tolerated and unconce

42、rned. Many years later, Suyun and Jinya divorced, fooling around with Yingying and her own brother Niu Huaiyu, she became indulging in feasting and revelry, and in drugs. At last, she was caught by police as the mistress of a warlord leader and a drug trafficker. She was caught back to Zeng family,

43、at this time, Mulan showed her sympathy for Suyun, making her reflected of her bad behavior and saved her soul.When Mulan moved to Hang Zhou and lived beside the West Lake with Sunya, she was rather enjoyed the pleased life there, she thought she could be live like a recluse, and dressed herself lik

44、e a peasant woman. She likes to be unworldly, because deep in her mind, she was a Taoist, and this kind of life was totally her favorite. But at this time, Sunya fell in love with a college girl named Cao Lihua, Mulan found it not in surprise. She wrote a letter Cao, sincerely advising her to break

45、up with Sunya. Cao touched by Mulans sincerity and rethought her own behavior, then broke up with Sunya. Cao later became a good friend of Mulans family. To her husband Sunya, Mulan was tolerant and considerate. She persuaded him to leave far from bureaucracy, and even encouraged him to get a concub

46、ine. It reflects that to some extent, Mulan also had influenced by the feudal Chinese rule for woman.In summery, the old Yao gave Mulan a Taoists soul, a free soul. Inside, Mulan is a Taoist. 3.2 Childhood experiencesPsychologically said, ones experiences in childhood have a deep influence on ones w

47、hole life, and can decide the formation of ones characters. Mulan not only believe “ones marriage is decided by heaven”, but “peoples fate is determined by heaven”. Except the influence from her father, her childhood experiences also make her believe in this law. When Mulan was a little girl, one da

48、y, her family was starting off for escaping the European troops. Little Mulan was called to get into a mule cart, but the young cart driver had ugly sores in his head, Mulan choused another cart with a weaker mule. On the road, her cart was lost in the crowd of refugees.“So important are little thin

49、gs in our life, perfectly meaningless in themselves, but as we look back upon them in their chain of cause and effect, we realize they are sometimes fraught with momentous consequences”. “If the young driver had not had sores on his head, and Mulan had not got into the other cart with the small and

50、sickly-looking mule, things would not have happened on this journey as they did, and the course of Mulans whole life would have been altered.” 林语堂 1939:5When Mulan lost on the road, she was kidnapped by several boxers, during which she met Dimfragrance, who became another sister-in-law many years la

51、ter. Mulan was saved by Zeng Wenpu, her father bosom friend, who become her father-in-law years later. In Zengs home she met Miannia, who became her best friend and sister-in-law in the future. Her future husband, Zeng Sunya, was also still a little boy at that time. This lost had decided Mulans fut

52、ure life, also determined that Mulan would not able to marry Lifu, the one she really loved. And all these just because Mulan had choused to get into another mule cart.“Mulan believe that all these just arranged by heaven, she could not control her own fate, so she almost followed the changes happen

53、ed in her later life and not complain any thing.”6When she was told that she would be married to Sunya, she didnt doubt about the arrangements heaven made for her. Mulan take the fact and married to Sunya happily. Her tragic love hadnt left much trace in her mind. In her later life, Mulan still kept

54、 an optimistic mood, enjoyed her marital life and nurtured her own children,3.3 A traditional mother The Confucian has influenced China for over 2,000 years, Chinese women, especially in the feudal society, are subject to the rules of the constraint of Confucian. Confucian advocates women to abide b

55、y SanCongSiDe, Without talent is the virtue of women, the old saying said. Women should start learning needling and embroidery in early age from their maiden home, and everything as a good wife shall comply with. In the feudal society, woman is not advocating studying, men ought to study. The duty o

56、f a woman is to be a good wife, be qualified enough to serve her husband, raising her children. Therefore, in the Confucian view, womens almost born for man, they are a group to be oppressed. But because such thoughts have followed thousands of years in China, women in feudal society are see the Con

57、fucian rules as their responsibility and they almost spontaneously and strictly abide by them. “Mulans father gave her a free soul, but her mother gave her the worldly wisdom.” 涂秀芳 2003:18Yaos wife is a duty of good. Strict mother gave Mulan the education for a traditional woman, the education inclu

58、ding these main virtues: diligence, modesty, frugality, obeys the principle, self-effacing and childcare, cooking, clipping, sewing, etc. As daughter and daughter-in-law, she was very grateful to her parents and parents-in-law; As a wife, she never envy, magnanimity, As members of the family, she wa

59、s courteous to other members and they get along well with each other. Mulan retained the traditional Chinese etiquette.3.4 The unrest societyAt the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, Chinese society was unrest, many historical events were occurred in this period, such as the Boxer Rebellion, e