WWII and Hong Kong 1939 1945 World War

WWII and Hong Kong 1939 -1945 World War II n 1941, the Japanese attacked the British Colony Hong Kong. n Hong Kong is an island off the southern mainland of China. n December, 1941, Japanese took control of Hong Kong. n

Bombing December 8, 1941 n The Japanese bombed American Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. n Without warning, the Malayan Peninsula and American bases on island were also hit. n US and Great Britain formally declare war on Japan. n

War in Hong Kong December 18, 1941, ten days aerial of bombardment were follow by an infantry assault on Hong Kong island. n The British and Indian battalion and other small forces held out for a week as the best they could. n During the attack, there was a very high percentage of casualties. n

Prisoners in Hong Kong n n The Allied garrison were surrounded on Christmas day, December 25, 1941. The Japanese found 10, 000 war-of-prisoners on their hand. More than 7, 000 were incarcerated in Shampshui Po barracks near Kowloon in Hong Kong. A place became notorious for overcrowding, neglect, brutality and deaths from untreated disease.

End of WWII Liberation for the prisoners came in August, 1945. n August 6, 1945, the Allies (U. S. ) dropped the atomic bomb on city of Hiroshima. n Ten days later, the 16 th of that month, the Japanese surrounded Hong Kong. n

Zhang Ailing (Eileen Chang: 1920 – 1995) ü ü Born in Shanghai in 1920 to a decadent family Spent childhood in Beijing and Tianjin, but returned to Shanghai in 1929 Troubled childhood Studied at Hong Kong University

Zhang Ailing (Eileen Chang : 1920 – 1995) Cont. ü ü Became the most popular author in Shanghai in 1943 Returned to Shanghai before completing her education Married at the age of 23 and later divorced Moved to Hong Kong again in 1952 to resume her education

Zhang Ailing (Eileen Chang : 1920 – 1995) Cont. ü ü ü ü Moved to the U. S. three years later Her popular novels were notable for their depictions of Shanghai’s decadent life in the 1940 s Her major works include : “Love in a Fallen City” “Naked Earth’ “The Red Rose and the White Rose” “The rice-sprout song”

Love in a Fallen City (C. P. pg 241 – 272) Summary

Love in a Fallen City n Story: – Time Period: » World War II – Location: » Shanghai » Hong Kong

Love in a Fallen City n Story (cont. ): – Main Characters: » Bai Liusu » Fan Liuyuan – Main Idea: » A couple looks to get married together, but cannot due to the fact that they both have different standards towards getting married— the woman wants him to support her more than anything, and the man wants spiritual love but not the responsibilities which comes from a marriage.

Love in a Fallen City n Story (cont. ): – Key Quotes—Liusu: » “There is only one little problem with spiritual love: in the course of falling in love, the man always says things that the woman doesn’t understand. But that doesn’t matter too much. In the end there is the getting-married, the house-buying, the furniture-arranging, the servant-hiring…” (C. P. pg. 258)

Love in a Fallen City n Story (cont. ): – Key Quotes—Liuyuan: » “ ‘A woman who doesn’t get jealous must be a bit abnormal. ’ ” (C. P. pg. 261) » “I’m not such a fool that I’ll pay to marry someone who doesn’t care about me, just so that she can tell me what to do! That’s too unfair. And it’s unfair to you, too. Well, maybe you don’t care. Basically, you think that marriage is long-term prostitution…” (C. P. pg. 262)

Love in a Fallen City n Story (cont. ): – Key Quotes: » “In this uncertain world, money, land, all the things that last forever, all are unreliable. She could rely on this breath in her body, and this person sleeping next to her. ” (C. P. pg. 270) » “He was just a selfish man, and she was just a selfish woman. In this age of chaos and disorder, there is no room for individualists, but there is always room for an ordinary married couple. ” (C. P. pg. 271)

Love in a Fallen City (C. P. pg 241 – 272) The End!

n n n “None of the characters are extreme. They are not heroes; They are the ones who bear the burden of the era. ” “It is precisely these ordinary people who are better than heroes in representing the totality of this era. ” “the reason works describing war and revolution often fail is their technical aspects are superior to their artistic aspects.

Reflections on ‘Love’ n Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence. -H. L. Mencken It is pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness; poverty and wealth have both failed. -Paul Lee

General Consensus of ‘Love'

Afterthoughts… AHH!!! I didn’t read it. Ailing provides a dialogue that tackles taboo issues at its source. Nobody likes to discuss money or any other intangibles that may hinder love. Our author, however, has no regard for discomfort and brings the truth and does so boldly.

Mr. Oloyede adds… n I admit that I felt conflicted and offended by Liuyan’s mistreatment of women’s feelings. He says things jokingly but there are still major issues behind the seemingly harmless comments.

Memorable quotes from ‘Love’ n n “Real Chinese women are the most beautiful women in the world. They’re never out of fashion. ” (Ailing, pg. 75) “…We were too busy falling in love, how could we possibly find time to really love? ” (Ailing, pg. 82)