Ideologically Conformist Characters, But Also Beginnings of Individualism: Gao Xingjian's Early Novellas "Stars on a Cold Night" and "A Pigeon Called Red Beak"

Abstract

This paper analyzes Gao Xingjian's early novellas "Stars on a Cold Night" and "A Pigeon Called Red Beak" and compares them with his most famous novels Soul Mountain and One Man's Bible. Whereas most scholars do not even mention the existence of the two early works, this paper suggests that they are important since they reveal the process of discarding self-censorship Gao Xingjian went through on his quest for free expression.

Keywords

• China, Literature
• 20th c.
• Censorship
• Gao Xingjian 高行健 (b. 1940)
• "Stars on a Cold Night" Han ye de xingchen 寒夜的星辰 (1979)
• "A Pigeon Called Red Beak" You zhi gezi jiao Hong chun’er 有只鸽子叫红唇儿 (1981).