Abstract
Taiwanese nationalist literary discourse, also referred to as ＂Taiwanese Literary Localism,＂ is deeply concerned with the interactions between ＂self＂ (or the ＂local＂) and ＂others＂ (or the ＂world＂). However, within its existing analytical framework, ＂China＂ is no doubt a problematic variable. On the one hand, ＂China＂ is defined as a part of the ＂world＂- be it part of East Asia, the Sinophone or the global community, and should thus be considered an equal entity alongside the other nations of the globe. On the other hand, ＂China＂ holds a particular significance; thus, localists cannot help but seek to dilute its impact by stressing the importance of other parts of the world. In this sense, discourses which focus on the lineage between Chinese and Taiwanese literature, for instance the ＂Lyrical Tradition＂ of Chinese literature, are seen as an embarrassment from the outset. Moreover, the current localist narrative is often oriented around the experience of the Hoklo people and the heterosexual; as a result, the experiences of different ethnic and sexual minorities are inevitably marginalized. All in all, writers who adhere to the lyrical tradition and also come from a marginalized group would be considered even more insignificant in the eyes of those from the localist camp. This article first analyzes some quintessential localist models that connect Taiwan and the world - in particular, those who call for the revival of the ＂World Literature＂ framework - in order to reveal the implied hierarchy of ＂the 'West' vs the 'Rest'＂ in their discourse. Furthermore, by heading beyond the identity politics embraced by the localists, this article contends that the Heideggerian concepts of ＂being＂ and ＂worlding＂ can provide a new way by which to rethink Taiwanese situated-ness. Ultimately, this article argues that the given methodology adopted by the localists to construct the ＂Taiwanese＂ identity and place ＂Taiwan＂ in a comparative framework is problematic, as it tends to overemphasize ＂space / spatiality＂ and overlook ＂time / temporality.＂ One solution would be to manifest the significance of ＂time＂ via ＂worlding＂. This would not only better situate Taiwan in a spatiotemporal configuration, but also aid the localist in transcending nationalist doctrine.