| Summary: | 碩士 === 東海大學 === 中國文學系 === 103 === Among studies on Cheng Ching-Wen’s short fictions, images of the female characters have long been a crucial issue. They are also where the core values of the fictions lie. In contrast, Cheng's male characters often appear as supporting characters. Even in instances where they do become the main characters, they lack the inner “strength” to go above and beyond, ending up being projected as weak and feeble. This essay aims to illustrate features of the male characters in Cheng's fictions and hopes to clarify what these characters really are. While other studies on the images of female characters have grown increasingly comprehensive, this one focuses on the characterization of the male and how Cheng as a male author has unwittingly presented his observation of men over his long years of writing.
There are three parts to this essay. Chapter Two attempts to figure out Cheng's primary objectives in his works. It draws a common theme from his fictions – people's inspirational actions in the face of “tragic predicament.” Chapter Three discusses how male and female characters under the common theme are assigned to different positions for their genders to achieve different impact. Chapter Four and Five focus on analyzing the male characters. Chapter Four discusses the male “heroes” by looking into how the male characters in Cheng's fictions have come to lose their “strength” and their identity as heroes. As a follow-up, Chapter Five explores how the “disempowered” male characters struggle with their place in the family and their own identity.
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