Oedipus In China – Patricidal Rage Tamed by Confucian Ethics - Dr Emma Zhang

Title of the Lecture: Oedipus In China – Patricidal Rage Tamed by Confucian Ethics

About the Speaker: Dr. Emma H. Zhang is a lecturer of English in College of International Education in Hong Kong Baptist University. Her research interests include comparative literature and comparative mythology. She has written on the subjects of Contemporary Asian American Literature, Chinese Mythology, as well as Life Writing.

Abstract of the Lecture:The Chinese myth of Nezha was first solidified and popularized by the Ming dynasty novelist Xu Zhonglin between the reigns of Long Qing (1567-1572) and Wan Li (1573-6120) in his epic novel Creation of the Gods. Nezha is the only Chinese mythological figure who actively rebels against and attempts to murder his father. Unlike many patricidal figures from Greek myth, such as Cronos, Zeus and Oedipus, who successfully overthrow the reigns of their fathers and establish a new world order, Nezha’s desperate rebellion ultimately ends in the defeat of the son. In his introduction to Creation of The Gods (2000), literary historian Shi Changyu states that Nezha’s myth was written during a time of political turmoil. Ming emperors were particularly ruthless towards their subjects, and rebellious movements were stirring nationwide. As the product of a culture, mythology both reflects and helps shape its ethical values. The Nezha myth raises questions about the legitimacy of sons who challenge their tyrannical fathers and hence the validity of subordinates who seek to overthrow their despotic, patriarchal rulers. In the Origins of Political Order (2011), Fukuyama pointed out that China established an ultra-stable political order in the Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.). The centralized, hierarchical, bureaucratic Chinese state was established more than 2000 years ago but its basic structure is largely maintained to this day. The Nezha myth helps illuminate a primary rationale behind China’s ultra-stable political system. It demonstrates that while Nezha’s patricidal rage against Li Jing is somewhat justified, the ultimate system of father-son, emperor-vassal hierarchy cannot be severed or challenged. This paper argues that Nezha myth gives insight into the phenomenon that although there have been countless rebellions throughout Chinese history against despotic emperors and rulers, the system of a centralized patriarchal hierarchy is as stable as ever in modern day China. Although Chinese ideology allows particular rulers to be usurped, the system of patrilineal hierarchy itself is sacrosanct.
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