Mother/Son Relationship in Contemporary Taiwanese Women Writers's Fiction

Author: Lee Shi Fan(Department of Chinese, The University of Hong Kong)

Vol.&No.：Vol. 43, No.1
Date：April 1998
Pages：47-63
DOI：10.6210/JNTNULL.1998.43(1).04

Abstract：

This thesis explores the maternal relationship of male characters in fiction by contemporary Taiwanese women writers. It is organized in four sections. Section one explains how the male characters are invariable bound by their maternal dependence, as infants and continuation into their adulthood. Section two points out that contemporary Taiwanese women writers have abandoned the everloving maternal stereotype, replacing it with the dark side of motherhood. The repressive motherly characteristics are particularly evident in their fiction. How the male characters cope with maternal repression is central in this discussion. Section three examines the negative impact on the male characters by their repressive mothers. It is discussed, from a psychological perspective, how the mental growth of the male characters being deformed by maternal pressure. The last section exposes the male struggle and hopelessness, based on their depicted rebellion, retreat and surrender under the motherly figure. "The helpless creature" -- becomes their final portrayal.

Keywords：contemporary Taiwanese women writers, maternal relationship of male characters, maternal repression

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