Critique of Western Modernity in Yan’s Change

Abstract

This research looks into Mo Yan’s Change from the perspective of nonwestern modernity. From the time of communist takeover till now, China attempts to develop its own unique mode of modernity. With the time span of a decade, China succeeds in bringing plenty of reform and progressive transformation. In Mo Yan’s Change, thousands of schools are opened within a decade after the communist takeover. Even the youths from poor economic background get opportunities to go to universities. The narrator’s brother once used to think that university is above his reach. But he not only completed university education but got a job too. As China appeared as the self-sufficient country, many western forces like political liberalism and individualism, China witnesses various examples of violence. Tiananmen Square tragedy is the worst case of disaster that has ever occurred on the soil of China. The communist dictatorship of China does not allow its citizens to ask for human rights, democracy and individual’s right to properties. In Tiananmen Square, youths mount protest for democracy. The one party regime launches heavy crackdown on them. The tragedy of Tiananmen Square is an instant of how the penetration of western modernity like political liberalism throws country into the turmoil and chaos.