Abstract
Scholarship on Hong Xingfu''s novel has been revolving around the issues of character, thought, and theme. Based on modern narratology, this paper analyzes the narrative skills and distinguishes four dramatic modes in Hong''s novel. The paper first discusses the narrative logic underlying his novel, a story logic that consists in the sequence of equilibrium, disruption, disequilibrium, and the second equilibrium. The second section points out the technique of retrospection in his novel, a technique that creates two kinds of suspense: one leading the reader to wonder what has caused the present state of interest conflict; the other seducing the reader to see what will happen next. Through the narrative logic and techniques discussed above, Hong adds a traditional stage drama into his short story ”Drama Dissembled” multiplying its narrative levels and giving multiple symbolic meanings to its theme. Finally, this paper investigates how fiction space can be turned into a drama stage where characters proceed and recede at the author''s will. First, by having several segmented spaces (stages) in the story, Hong enables his characters recede from one stage and then proceed to another. Secondly, by putting a character into the state of intoxication, Hong forces the character to recede on the stage. Either way, Hong controls the number of characters present on the stage and determines whether or not two characters should have interactions. The entire paper has attempted to suggest the significance of close textual analysis of nativist literature, arguing that modern narratology can serve as a useful tool.