The Family by Ba Jin: A Tale of Struggle and Revolution in 20th Century China
The Family by Ba Jin delves into the lives of the Kao brothers, highlighting their resistance against oppressive feudal authority in early 20th century China. The story follows the struggles of Kao Chueh-hsin, Kao Chueh-min, and Kao Chueh-hui as they navigate societal expectations and personal desires. The novel is part of the Turbulent Currents trilogy, influencing Chinese youth during democratic movements against imperialism and feudalism.
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THE FAMILY Ba Jin
SYNOPSIS The Family is the story of an aristocratic Chinese family at the beginning of the 20th century. It focuses on three brothers from the Kao family, and their struggles with the oppressive autocracy of their feudalistic family. The youngest brother, is the main protagonist, and he is frequently contrasted with the weak eldest brother, who gives in to the demands from his grandfather and carries on living a life he does not want to live.
CHARACTERS Kao Chueh-hsin ( ; G o Ju x n) The eldest brother, who was forced into quitting his university studies and marrying a woman other than the one he loved. Kao Chueh-min ( ; G o Ju m n) The middle brother, who anticipates the time when his academy begins admitting female students. Kao Chueh-hui ( ; G o Ju hui) The most rebellious of the brothers, who has an interest in the ideals of the May Fourth Movement.
CHARACTERS Mei ( ) Chueh-hsin's cousin and the love of his life. She falls ill and dies. Chin ( ; Q n) A female cousin and the love of Chueh-min, and a student. Ming-feng ( ) A maidservant who is in love with the youngest brother Chueh- hui but ends up being forced to marry an old man. She commits suicide.
CHARACTERS Source: http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/d/g/dga11/HIST175_Ba_Jin_Family_Guide.htm
REVIEWS The family is the first part of a long trilogy called Turbulent Currents which Ba Jin completed in 1931. The novel was widely read by Chinese young people and exercised a considerable influence on them during the democratic revolution against imperialism and feudalism. It has won an important position in contemporary Chinese literature.
SHORTCOMINGS Its main failing is that the author sings the praises of spontaneous, individual resistance and prettifies the essential weakness of petty-bourgeois intellectuals, instead of pointing out the absolute necessity of joining with the workers and peasants. He thus does not really show his readers the road from darkness to light.
