Taiwan Fiction and Postwar Urban Experience Week 10

Taiwan Fiction and Postwar Urban Experience Week 10: Huang Chun-ming and “Young Widow” [Nov 14 th, 2013] Instructor: Richard Rong-bin Chen, Ph. D. Adjunct Assistant Professor, Graduate Institute of Taiwan Literature, NTU Unless noted, the course materials are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Non. Commercial-Share. Alike 3. 0 Taiwan (CC BY-NC-SA 3. 0)

Huang Chun-ming [黃春明] 1935: born in Luo-tung Township, Yi-lan County. 1956: published his first short story, “Son of the Street Sweeper” （〈清道夫的孩子〉）. 1958: graduated from National Ping-tung Teachers College, and taught for three years in I-lan. His son, Huang Kuo-chun [黃國峻] (1971 -2003), once a promising young novelist, committed suicide without leaving any words behind.

Taiwan e-Learning & Digital Archives Program, TELDAP Huang with his son (left) in a book event, picture taken in 2000. http: //catalog. digitalarchives. tw/item/00/5 b/c 7/11. html

More about Huang Chun-ming • The Taste of Apples. Translated by Howard Goldblatt, and published by Columbia University Press in 2001. • “The Rural Stories of Hwang Chun-ming” by Howard Goldblatt, collected in Chinese Fiction from Taiwan: Critical Perspectives, edited by Jeannette L. Faurot, publish by Idiana University Press in 1980. • The contribution to the New Cinema of Taiwan in the 80 s and 90 s.

National Taiwan University Richard Rong-bin Chen

National Taiwan University Richard Rong-bin Chen

“The Drowning of an Old Cat” 〈溺死一隻老貓〉（1967） • • A village invaded by people in the city. The swimming pool. The “old cat”: Uncle Ah-sheng drowned himself.

“A Flower in the Rainy Night” 〈看海的日子〉（1967） • • The prostitute. Discrimination on the train. The baby. Back to her native village, where villagers showed her due respect and support, and didn’t discriminate her. • The baby changed her life. [The final train scene. ]

“His Son’s Big Doll” 〈兒子的大玩偶〉（1968） • • The sandwichman. The makeup of a clown. The family. The son.

“The Two Sign Painters” 〈兩個油漆匠〉（1971） • Two aboriginal young men from Hua -lien. • Unsatisfied with the job, but couldn’t return home. • People in the city vs. the aboriginal young men. • The film adaptation.

“The Taste of Apples” 〈蘋果的滋味〉（1972） First published in the supplement to China Times in December, 1972, Huang Chunming’s “The Taste of Apples” can be first of all interpreted as a political novel criticizing America’s great influence on Taiwan during the “U. S. Aid” period (1951 -65). Written against the background of Nixon’s historical visit to China in February, 1972.

“Sayonara, Zaijian” 〈沙喲娜拉．再見〉 （1973） “I Love Mary” 〈我愛瑪莉〉 （1977） Both allegories about Taiwan’s relationship with foreign great powers. (The former about Japan, and the latter America. ) Narrative model of “countrypeople in the city. ”

Historical Background: The Vietnamese War • During the Cold War period, the United States was willing to help any government who was opposed to communism, like the South Vietnamese government with the communist North Vietnamese government as it enemy. • In his inaugural address, Kennedy made the ambitious pledge to “pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and success of liberty. ”

This work is from “Ministry of Culture, National Repository of Cultural Heritage” but the original source is from 蔡高明 http: //nrch. cca. gov. tw/ccahome/search_meta. jsp? xml_id=0002774587&dofile=get. Image. jsp? d=1321255132923&id=000277 9354&filename=cca 100062 -hp-ph 010_032 l-0001 -i. jpg It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of the Taiwan Copyright Act Article 52 and 65 by GET, and 文化部著作權聲明 After the 7 th Fleet sent to Taiwan in 1950, more and more bars emerged in Kaohsiung, and were not closed until the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.

A picture taken nearby Kaohsiung’s Love River, date unknown. The women in the picture might be bar girls. This work is from “Ministry of Culture, National Repository of Cultural Heritage” but the original source is from 蔡高明 http: //nrch. cca. gov. tw/ccahome/search_meta. jsp? xml_id=0 002774589&dofile=get. Image. jsp? d=1321255932649&id=00027793 56&filename=cca 100062 -hp-ph 010_034 l-0001 -i. jpg It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of the Taiwan Copyright Act Article 52 and 65 by GET, and 文化部著作權聲明

This work is from “Ministry of Culture, National Repository of Cultural Heritage” but the original source is from 謝惠民 http: //nrch. cca. gov. tw/ccahome/search_meta. jsp? xml_id=0004505247&dofile=get. Image. jsp? d=1332415886290&id=0004 488647&filename=cca 100062 -hp-kh 2002_012_513_0002 -i. jpg It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of the Taiwan Copyright Act Article 52 and 65 by GET, and 文化部著作權聲明 Nancy’s Bar in Kaohsiung, 1964.

This work is from “Ministry of Culture, National Repository of Cultural Heritage” but the original source is from 中央日報 (http: //nrch. cca. gov. tw/ccahome/search_meta. jsp? xml_id=0000812132&dofile=get. Image. jsp? d=1321255132064&id =0000969911&filename=cca 220001 -hp-hjm 0140679 -0001 -i. jpg ) It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of the Taiwan Copyright Act Article 52 and 65 by GET, and 文化部著作權聲明 Some Taiwanese female escorts with US GIs at a table, enjoying a hot pot. (November 1966. )

The first group of American GIs on vacation in Taiwan, 65 of them in total, arriving Taipei on November 25, 1968 for a five-day trip. This work is from “Ministry of Culture, National Repository of Cultural Heritage” but the original source is from 中央通訊社 http: //nrch. cca. gov. tw/ccahome/search_meta. jsp? xml_id= 0005912267&dofile=get. Image. jsp? d=1321320283618&id=000584 0739&filename=cca 220002 -hp-196511250231000002 l-0001 -w. jpg It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of the Taiwan Copyright Act Article 52 and 65 by GET, and 文化部著作權聲明

A Resort for R&R • 1954: the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty signed, promoting an emerging bar/dance hall/night club business. (Bans lifted in 1958. ) • According to the Johnson Administration’s policy, in November 1965, the Pentagon planned to raise the number of US troops to 400, 000. • From November 1965 to 1971, about 400, 000 American soldiers went to Taiwan for vacation. • To clear up the “aftermaths” of the vacations, the first venereal disease clinic was set up in Taipei in 1968.

From “Young Widow” in Oxcart In 1968, Linden Johnson, the president of the United States, ordered that a record-breaking number of American military personnel be dispatched to serve in the Viet Nam theatre of war. When the number of servicemen had reached five hundred thousand, Taiwan was drawn into the Far East zone as a rest and recreation centre for the enjoyment of the American troops. Taiwan’s bar and nightclub industry had previously been sluggish, but now it began to prosper. Bars appeared in Taipei, Keelung, Taichung and Kaohsiung; even remote Hualien that had never before even possessed a bar boasted of its new industry. With minor renovations, such as the installation of Englishlanguage neon signs that blinked on and off like eyes, teahouses were transformed into bars, and the tea attendants were similarly transformed into bar girls. None of the girls knew for sure whether their new status constituted a promotion; nonetheless, they all felt an indescribable thrill of excitement. (p. 221) Source: Huang Chun-ming. (1996). Rosemary M. Haddon(Eds. ), Oxcart : nativist stories from Taiwan, 1934 -1977. Dortmund [Germany] : Projekt Verlag

The Anti-war Movement in the U. S. “To make the most of this opportune moment, we must understand the psychology of the American GIs who come to Taiwan on leave. The American citizens back home in the United States are strongly opposed to the war in Viet Nam, and the anti-war movement is at its height. As a consequence, the morale of the troops is very low. As soon as any conscript in Viet Nam obtains leave and gets his hand on some money, he’ll want nothing more than to go out and have a good time. No matter where he’s sent on leave, he’ll seek out bars and women. ” Ma paused again and extinguished the long, element cigarette of which he had taken no more than a couple of puffs. (p. 226) Source: Huang Chun-ming. (1996). Rosemary M. Haddon(Eds. ), Oxcart : nativist stories from Taiwan, 1934 -1977. Dortmund [Germany] : Projekt Verlag

The Fall of South Vietnam • After Tet Offensive and the My Lai Massacre (both in 1968) , the war got more notorious. • In 1968, the U. S. government passed the “Vietnamization” policy. • By 1973, U. S. military involvement ended. • In 1975, the North Vietnamese army captured Saigon, which marked the end of the Vietnam War.

“Young Widow” [小寡婦] (1974) by Huang Chun-ming • The protagonist is a Taiwanese with a foreign degree in marketing and hotel management. • In order to enhance an Oriental feeling, the bar’s name was renamed “Young Widow”. • Toward the end of the story, the protagonist pulled out of the business in 1970, and turned to real estate industry. • One of the American GIs survived the war, reunited with a bar girl in the end.

The Six Sections • • • 1968 Summit Talks 121, 121 [January 21] Area D Strategy We Shall Overcome 1970

Characters • • • Japanese reporters Miyairi and Okamoto American Soldiers Smith and Steve ( both A-qing’s patron) Blackie [Moon Beauty’s son Little Johnny in Crystal Boy] Louie Tommy [LSD abuse] Hershey Billy

Taiwanese Characters • • • General Manager Huang Ma Shanxing [馬善行] Madams A-qing [a bar girl, from the countryside] A-qing’s mother would run about everywhere in the countryside, saying, “My daughter works in an import-export company in Taipei. ” (p. 246) • Feifei Source: Huang Chun-ming. (1996). Rosemary M. Haddon(Eds. ), Oxcart : nativist stories from Taiwan, 1934 -1977. Dortmund [Germany] : Projekt Verlag

“You are now bar girls. . . ” ”Stop laughing, the rest of you. You have to remember your English names! I want to remind you that you’re no longer tea attendants. You’re now bar girls who want nothing less than to suck Johnny dry!” He made a point of saying “ bar girl “in English, then translating it into Chinese. The girls were all very animated, especially Shirley, who couldn’t stop giggling. (p. 222) Source: Huang Chun-ming. (1996). Rosemary M. Haddon(Eds. ), Oxcart : nativist stories from Taiwan, 1934 -1977. Dortmund [Germany] : Projekt Verlag

“A deaf-mute is the best bar girl” ” You ought to know by now that you can communit fine by not even opening your mouth. Besides, no one asked you to talk. We’re not asking you to be a lawyer or to run for the Provincial Assembly. ” Huang replied. “ I’m telling everyone in Hualien that if they can speak English to pretend they can’t. There’s a girl in one of the bars in Taichung who’s deaf and mute, but of all the girls, she has the best relations with the patrons. And she makes the most money. That doesn’t mean I want you to pretend you can’t talk, but the less English you can speak , the more the GIs will like you because you’ll seem exotic. ” (p. 223) Source: Huang Chun-ming. (1996). Rosemary M. Haddon(Eds. ), Oxcart : nativist stories from Taiwan, 1934 -1977. Dortmund [Germany] : Projekt Verlag

The Name of the Bar “ ‘Young Widow’ will be written in large Chinese characters. It doesn’t matter if the GIs don’t understand. The more they don’t understand, the more mysterious they’ll find it, and the more curious they’ll be. The United States isn’t a country with a lot of culture, so Americans are especially curious about China. Still, the words Young Widow can be put up in small English letters below the large signboard. ” (p. 231 -32) Source: Huang Chun-ming. (1996). Rosemary M. Haddon(Eds. ), Oxcart : nativist stories from Taiwan, 1934 -1977. Dortmund [Germany] : Projekt Verlag

Criticism of the US Government (the Ad on the China Post) Why did the United States’ Asia Diplomacy Fail? Because Americans don’t understand the saying: “When in Rome do as the Romans do!” If you want to understand the meaning of “When in Rome do as the Romans do, ” Come to Jinxi Street and ask our young widows. You’ll find out everything you want to know there! Source: Huang Chun-ming. (1996). Rosemary M. Haddon(Eds. ), Oxcart : nativist stories from Taiwan, 1934 -1977. Dortmund [Germany] : Projekt Verlag (p. 231 -32)

Taiwan Cement Corporation This work is from “Google map”(https: //maps. google. com. tw/) and used subject to the fair use doctrine of the Taiwan Copyright Act Article 52 and 65 by GET MILITARY ASSISTANCE ADVISORY GROUP

Commercialization “I recently heard that Cathay Construction has put up a number of apartment complexes. Sixty percent of the funds were borrowed and are due for repayment over a fifteen-year period. I suggest we consider purchasing one of these blocks. There are two reasons for this: first, we’ll be making a long-term future investment in real estate and, second we can partition the block into residences for the girls. If the girls have their own apartment, they can easily persuade the GIs not to stay in a hotel, but we can charge them hotel rates. This could be a big source of revenue, enough to meet the mortgage payments. But there’s more … (p. 237) Source: Huang Chun-ming. (1996). Rosemary M. Haddon(Eds. ), Oxcart : nativist stories from Taiwan, 1934 -1977. Dortmund [Germany] : Projekt Verlag

Ma had written up to this point when a friend by the name of Jin suddenly came into his mind. Jin had studied architecture abroad and he had once commented to Ma that architectural forms had the power to alter lifestyles. Contemporary apartment design, for example, do not take the traditional spirit tablets into consideration. The apartments are invariably designed after European models, and as a consequence Chinese apartment-dwellers do not carry on ancestor-worship. As Ma Shanxing reflected on the concept of the “apartment culture, ” he remembered that when he was designing the Young Widow, he had paid little attention to anything other than making money. His emotions in a turmoil, he became aware of his inner contradictions. (p. 285) Source: Huang Chun-ming. (1996). Rosemary M. Haddon(Eds. ), Oxcart : nativist stories from Taiwan, 1934 -1977. Dortmund [Germany] : Projekt Verlag

Problem of the Early 70 s “At the present, Taiwan’s economy is booming, and both industry and business are expanding. The cities are becoming very prosperous, and manpower is needed in the export industry. There are large numbers of workers leaving the farming areas and being absorbed into the urban centres, reflecting the internal migration taking place. The flood of labour has given rise to a new problem in the urban areas; that is, it is creating a housing shortage. Right now, the most lucrative business to be in is construction. On the outside, capital looks swollen, but the truth is, it’s all speculation. You can tell this from the way the insurance companies have become engaged in construction!” (p. 301 -2) Source: Huang Chun-ming. (1996). Rosemary M. Haddon(Eds. ), Oxcart : nativist stories from Taiwan, 1934 -1977. Dortmund [Germany] : Projekt Verlag

Copyright Declaration Page Work Licensing Author/Source 3 Taiwan e-Learning & Digital Archives Program, TELDAP http: //catalog. digitalarchives. tw/item/00/5 b/c 7/11. html 2013/11/15 visited 5 National Taiwan University Richard Rong-bin Chen 6 National Taiwan University Richard Rong-bin Chen 14 This work is from “Ministry of Culture, National Repository of Cultural Heritage” but the original source is from 蔡高明 (http: //nrch. cca. gov. tw/ccahome/search_meta. jsp? xml_id=0002774587&dofile=get. I mage. jsp? d=1321255132923&id=0002779354&filename=cca 100062 -hp-ph 010_032 l-0001 -i. jpg) It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of the Taiwan Copyright Act Article 52 and 65 by GET, and 文化部著作權聲明 15 This work is from “Ministry of Culture, National Repository of Cultural Heritage” but the original source is from 蔡高明 (http: //nrch. cca. gov. tw/ccahome/search_meta. jsp? xml_id=0002774589&dofile=get. I mage. jsp? d=1321255932649&id=0002779356&filename=cca 100062 -hp-ph 010_034 l-0001 -i. jpg) It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of the Taiwan Copyright Act Article 52 and 65 by GET, and 文化部著作權聲明 16 This work is from “Ministry of Culture, National Repository of Cultural Heritage” but the original source is from 謝惠民 (http: //nrch. cca. gov. tw/ccahome/search_meta. jsp? xml_id=0004505247&dofile=get. I mage. jsp? d=1332415886290&id=0004488647&filename=cca 100062 -hpkh 2002_012_513_0002 -i. jpg) It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of the Taiwan Copyright Act Article 52 and 65 by GET, and 文化部著作權聲明

Copyright Declaration Page Work Licensing Author/Source 17 This work is from “Ministry of Culture, National Repository of Cultural Heritage” but the original source is from 中央日報 (http: //nrch. cca. gov. tw/ccahome/search_meta. jsp? xml_id=0000812132&dofile=get. I mage. jsp? d=1321255132064&id=0000969911&filename=cca 220001 -hp-hjm 0140679 -0001 -i. jpg) It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of the Taiwan Copyright Act Article 52 and 65 by GET, and 文化部著作權聲明 18 This work is from “Ministry of Culture, National Repository of Cultural Heritage” but the original source is from 中央通訊社 (http: //nrch. cca. gov. tw/ccahome/search_meta. jsp? xml_id=0005912267&dofile=get. I mage. jsp? d=1321320283618&id=0005840739&filename=cca 220002 -hp 196511250231000002 l-0001 -w. jpg) It is used subject to the fair use doctrine of the Taiwan Copyright Act Article 52 and 65 by GET, and 文化部著作權聲明 20 In 1968, Linden Johnson, the president … indescribable thrill of excitement. Huang Chun-ming. (1996). Young Widow Rosemary M. Haddon(Eds. ) Oxcart : nativist stories from Taiwan, 1934 -1977. (p. 221). Dortmund [Germany] : Projekt Verlag 21 To make the most of this opportune … he had taken no more than a couple of puffs. Huang Chun-ming. (1996). Young Widow Rosemary M. Haddon(Eds. ) Oxcart : nativist stories from Taiwan, 1934 -1977. (p. 226). Dortmund [Germany] : Projekt Verlag 26 A-qing’s mother would run about … works in an import-export company in Taipei. Huang Chun-ming. (1996). Young Widow Rosemary M. Haddon(Eds. ) Oxcart : nativist stories from Taiwan, 1934 -1977. (p. 246). Dortmund [Germany] : Projekt Verlag 27 Stop laughing, the rest of you. You have to … especially Shirley, who couldn’t stop giggling. Huang Chun-ming. (1996). Young Widow Rosemary M. Haddon(Eds. ) Oxcart : nativist stories from Taiwan, 1934 -1977. (p. 222). Dortmund [Germany] : Projekt Verlag

Copyright Declaration Page Work Licensing Author/Source 28 You ought to know by now that you can …will like you because you’ll seem exotic. ” Huang Chun-ming. (1996). Young Widow Rosemary M. Haddon(Eds. ) Oxcart : nativist stories from Taiwan, 1934 -1977. (p. 223). Dortmund [Germany] : Projekt Verlag 29 ‘Young Widow’ will be written in large …up in small English letters below the large signboard. Huang Chun-ming. (1996). Young Widow Rosemary M. Haddon(Eds. ) Oxcart : nativist stories from Taiwan, 1934 -1977. (pp. 231 -2). Dortmund [Germany] : Projekt Verlag 30 If you want to understand the meaning of “When in …everything you want to know there! Huang Chun-ming. (1996). Young Widow Rosemary M. Haddon(Eds. ) Oxcart : nativist stories from Taiwan, 1934 -1977. (pp. 231 -2). Dortmund [Germany] : Projekt Verlag This work is from “Google map”(https: //maps. google. com. tw/) and used subject to the fair use doctrine of the Taiwan Copyright Act Article 52 and 65 by GET 31 32 I recently heard that Cathay …the mortgage payments. But there’s more … Huang Chun-ming. (1996). Young Widow Rosemary M. Haddon(Eds. ) Oxcart : nativist stories from Taiwan, 1934 -1977. (p. 237). Dortmund [Germany] : Projekt Verlag 33 Ma had written up to this point when a friend by … became aware of his inner contradictions. Huang Chun-ming. (1996). Young Widow Rosemary M. Haddon(Eds. ) Oxcart : nativist stories from Taiwan, 1934 -1977. (p. 285). Dortmund [Germany] : Projekt Verlag

Copyright Declaration Page Work 34 At the present, Taiwan’s economy is … insurance companies have become engaged in construction! Licensing Author/Source Huang Chun-ming. (1996). Young Widow Rosemary M. Haddon(Eds. ) Oxcart : nativist stories from Taiwan, 1934 -1977. (pp. 301 -2). Dortmund [Germany] : Projekt Verlag