Welcome to Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art,

Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art ›› 2017, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (4): 196-205.

• Modern and Contemporary Literary Theory and Criticism • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The Returning Dream-seeking Trip: the Narrative of America in Chinese Popular Culture since the 1990s

Chen Guozhan   

  1. the Institute of Cultural Studies, Capital Normal University (Beijing 100089, China)
  • Online:2017-09-25 Published:2017-11-26
  • About author:Chen Guozhan is an associate professor in the Institute of Cultural Studies, Capital Normal University (Beijing 100089, China), with main research interests in cultural studies.

Abstract: This paper finds an obvious change in Chinese popular culture through analyzing the stories of going abroad since the 1990s: the leading character spares no effort to seek American Dream during the early 1990s, but turns back since 2008. It has become a significant narrative mode, and clearly demonstrated the changes of the image of America. From seeking American Dream to realizing Chinese Dream, it narrates a changed China via leading character's return; and it is also a story about how Chinese Dream replaces American Dream. However, such a narrative mode reveals some problems: many of its judgments are accompanied with Occidentalist prejudice; it establishes Chinese masculine confidence by using the 'misogyny' motif; it fails to provide an exemplary story regarding how to achieve the Chinese Dream.

Key words: popular culture, American Dream, Occidentalism, the image of America