As the Earth Turns Silver is the first novel by the poet and fiction writer Alison Wong and was published by Penguin in New Zealand in 2009. The plot is set in Wellington, New Zealand around the turn of the 20th century and reconstructs the cultural climate there at the time given.
In explanation, New Zealand had become a country of immigrants: the British Empire had annexed the country in 1840, the Mori consequently lost their sovereignty and were forced back further by the huge number of British settlers; besides, gold discoveries triggered the first wave of immigration from China in 1865. Thus, a racial hierarchy had established, with the British considering themselves superior to the others and an active Anti-Chinese League had built up.
Wong's novel now is both a love story and tragedy as well as a representation of Chinese settlement in the country. On the one hand, there is Katherine McKechnie as one of the protagonists of the novel, whose husband Donald drowns in a drunken accident, and her two children, Edie and Robbie. On the other hand, there are Chung Yung and his elder brother Shun, who have fled from Kwangtung, China, in 1905, leaving wife and children behind, and now run a greengrocer's shop in Wellington. Their stories intermingle since Katherine usually buys her fruit and vegetables in their shop. Gradually she befriends the younger of the two brothers, Yung, and, after her husband's death, their friendships eventually deepens into a secret love affair, secret because the interracial relationship would be regarded as a scandal in both communities.
Disastrously, Katherine's son Robbie has taken on his father's and Lionel Terry's racist views so that, knowing of his mother's and Yung's affair, he finally kills the Chinese in his shop and, later on, commits suicide in the garden of their house. Even though Wong herself is of Chinese descent, she points out that the story is not her family's story nor a real representation of history, but a mere work of fiction. All in all, Wong has produced a thought-provoking work about choices we make, the courage to stay true to oneself and, last but not least, racism/xenophobia and its absurdity and consequences.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Plot Summary and Cultural Context
- Translation as a Central Theme
- Direct and Indirect Translation
- Transcription and Romanization
- Literal Translation and Cultural Insight
- Breaking Down Cultural Barriers Through Language
Objectives and Key Themes
This analysis aims to explore the multifaceted role of translation in Alison Wong's novel, As the Earth Turns Silver, examining how linguistic choices shape the narrative and cultural representation. The study investigates the novel's depiction of intercultural relationships and the consequences of racism and xenophobia within a specific historical and geographical context.
- Intercultural Relationships and Communication
- Racism and Xenophobia in Early 20th Century New Zealand
- Translation as a Literary Device
- The Representation of Chinese Culture in English
- The Impact of Linguistic Choices on Narrative and Meaning
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This section provides background information on Alison Wong's novel, As the Earth Turns Silver, its publication details, and the historical and cultural context of Wellington, New Zealand, at the turn of the 20th century. It highlights the novel's dual nature as both a love story and a depiction of Chinese settlement in New Zealand during a period of significant racial tension and established hierarchies.
Plot Summary and Cultural Context: This section summarizes the novel's plot, focusing on the intertwining lives of Katherine McKechnie and Chung Yung, whose relationship highlights the challenges of an interracial romance in a society marked by prejudice and racism. The tragic consequences of Robbie's racist actions, mirroring the broader societal climate, underscore the novel's central themes. The chapter establishes the importance of understanding the historical context of British colonialism and immigration in shaping the cultural landscape.
Translation as a Central Theme: This section delves into the multiple layers of translation present in the novel. It explains how translation extends beyond simple word-for-word equivalence to encompass the complexities of cultural exchange and communication. The discussion covers direct and indirect translation, the use of romanization and transcription, and the significance of literal translations in conveying the nuances of Chinese culture to a Western audience.
Keywords
Translation, intercultural communication, racism, xenophobia, Chinese culture, New Zealand history, Romanization, transcription, literal translation, cultural representation, interracial relationships, Alison Wong, As the Earth Turns Silver.
Frequently Asked Questions: As the Earth Turns Silver
What is this document?
This is a comprehensive language preview of Alison Wong's novel, As the Earth Turns Silver. It provides a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords, intended for academic analysis of the novel's themes.
What are the main themes explored in the novel?
The novel explores several key themes, including intercultural relationships and communication, racism and xenophobia in early 20th century New Zealand, translation as a literary device, the representation of Chinese culture in English, and the impact of linguistic choices on narrative and meaning.
What is the significance of translation in the novel?
Translation serves as a central theme, going beyond literal word-for-word equivalence. It encompasses the complexities of cultural exchange and communication, highlighting direct and indirect translation, romanization and transcription, and the challenges of conveying cultural nuances to a Western audience.
What is the historical and geographical context of the novel?
The novel is set in Wellington, New Zealand, at the turn of the 20th century, a period of significant racial tension and established hierarchies related to British colonialism and immigration. This context shapes the intercultural relationships and the experiences of Chinese immigrants depicted in the novel.
What is the plot of the novel (in brief)?
The plot centers on the interracial romance between Katherine McKechnie and Chung Yung, highlighting the challenges faced by their relationship in a prejudiced society. The tragic consequences of racist actions underscore the societal climate and the novel's central themes.
What are the key chapters covered in the preview?
The preview summarizes the Introduction, providing background information on the novel and its context. It also summarizes the Plot Summary and Cultural Context, and focuses extensively on Translation as a Central Theme, examining its multifaceted role in shaping the narrative and cultural representation.
What keywords best describe the novel and its themes?
Keywords include: Translation, intercultural communication, racism, xenophobia, Chinese culture, New Zealand history, Romanization, transcription, literal translation, cultural representation, interracial relationships, Alison Wong, and As the Earth Turns Silver.
What is the overall objective of this analysis?
The analysis aims to explore the multifaceted role of translation in shaping the narrative and cultural representation within Alison Wong's novel. It investigates how linguistic choices reflect intercultural relationships and the consequences of racism and xenophobia within a specific historical and geographical context.
- Quote paper
- Doreen Klahold (Author), 2012, Translation in Alison Wong’s novel "As the Earth Turns Silver", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/262176
