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In a Bronze Mirror: Eileen Chang’s Life and Literature Main Menu Eileen Chang's Life and Legacy LA Team: Yiwei, Helena and Jenny Chinese Life and Fashions Love in Fallen Cities Motherhood and Marriage Historical Translations
and Cross-Cultural Futures About the Project

Gender and Sexuality/Desire, Longing, and Ill-Fated Romance

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Originally published in 1944, Red Rose White Rose was adapted to a film by Stanley Kwan 50 years later. Scenarios in it resonated with Chang’s upbringing and it also reflected Chang’s value of love in some ways. Chang delineated the dilemma that the traditional man faced when he encountered two women and she revealed the paradox that male made decisions at every turn. Two women in the novel symbolled the different gender stereotypes in terms of social values in China at that time. They were the incarnations of the woman who was bound by China's traditional cultural identity versus the independent woman. It is interesting if we place her work along with the First-wave feminism, which held during 1860 to 1945. Chang was nurturing feminism in the East. Chang mentioned that Lian Huan Tao, Chuang Shi Ji, as well as Yin Baoyan Song Hua Lou Hui were produced during her prolific period. These pieces of work were drafted after Red Rose White Rose. It took her a while to make up her mind to publish them.

Chang mentioned her another work Rouge of The North a few times between her correspondence with Hsia. Rouge of The North portrays a distorted change of a woman, Yindi, in a dramatic way. Yindi, who marries the blind, bedridden son of a rich and noble family has no power in speech. The twisted domestic relation, the unsatisfying family life, and the exacting dictates of her husband's mother, leaves Yindi in a hopeless situation. After her demanding mother-in-law passed away, she moved out of the big house with her son. Absurdly though, when her son gets married, Yindi has become a perverted mother-in-law and inflicted pain on others. She constantly blames and emotionally tortures her daughter-in-law in a vicious and brutal way. Chang expounds the tragedy across three generations, conveying her idea that marriage is attributed to women’s plight. While holding a negative perception of marriage, in one letter written to Hsia regarding Rouge of The North, Chang implies that “our generation is impoverished with a love life in youth.” The disbelief in marriage, and the yearning for true love, both occur in Chang’s mind.

First published in 1948, Eighteen Springs shows Gu Manzhen’s ill-fated romance through the entanglement with characters, demonstrating the inescapable fate of women in the 1940s. A pessimistic fatalism was revealed that women do not get to choose who they can settle with their lives. Something is destined. Longing for unattainable love is a juxtaposition of sublime and tragedy. In her correspondence to Hsia, Eileen Chang suggests Eighteen Springs would be suitable for film adaptation because it carries a strong dramatic turn. She envisions the leading actress playing two sisters, Manzhen and Manlu, to make a contrast. In 1997, Ann Hui directed the film Eighteen Springs, based on the novel by Chang.

Additional Artifacts Relating to this Essay

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Letter from Eileen Chang to C.T. Hsia, July 1966 A letter from Eileen Chang to C.T. Hsia, 1966. In this letter dated July 8, Eileen Chang mentions that she will apply for a fellowship in September to translate "Hai Shang Hua". She also discusses about translating "Jin Suo Ji" with Hsia, and asks Hsia to handle publishing "Yuan Nu" for her in Taiwan. The envelope has USPS 5 cents-stamp with dated stamp of 9 July 1966 Washington DC is addressed to "Mr. C.T. Hsia, 415 West 115th Street, New York, N.Y. 10025" from address "Reyher, 1315 C St. Se, Apt. 22, Washington, D.C. 20003." The back of the envelope has a note saying "books has been received, thank you."; 張愛玲寄給夏志清的信, 1966. 這封信註明7月8日寫的. 張愛玲提到九月申請譯"海上花"的fellowship. 也跟夏志清討論翻譯"金鎖記", 並請夏志清在台灣時處理出版"怨女"事宜. 信封上有五分錢的郵票, 郵政戳印日期為1966年7月9日華盛頓, 並有收件人地址"Mr. C.T. Hsia, 415 West 115th Street, New York, N.Y. 10025" 及寄件人地址"Reyher, 1315 C St. Se, Apt. 22, Washington, D.C. 20003." 信封背面寫有一句"書剛收到, 謝了."
Letter from Eileen Chang to C.T. Hsia, August 1966 A letter from Eileen Chang to C.T. Hsia, 1966. In this letter dated August 19, Eileen Chang describes publishing "Yuan Nu" has become a mess. She gives Hsia full authority to decide the publication of "Yuan Nu" in newspaper and in book form. She also thanks Hsia for writing a reference letter to Radcliffe. This letter mentions Wang Jingxi, Yu Lihua, Wang Dingjun, and Joseph Lau. The USPS 11 cents-airletter stamped 20 Aug 1966 Washington DC is addressed to "Mr. C.T. Hsia, 205 Chia Hua Street, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China" from "Chang, 1315 C St. SE, Apt. 22, Washington, D.C. 20003."; 張愛玲寄給夏志清的信, 1966. 這封信註明8月19日寫的. 張愛玲描述"怨女"事接洽得一團糟. 她委託夏志清全權代辦連載"怨女"與出單行本的事. 也感謝夏志清為她寫介紹信給Radcliffe. 信裡提到王敬羲, 於梨華, 王鼎鈞, 及劉紹銘. 信封上有十一分錢的郵票印章, 郵政戳印日期為1966年8月20日華盛頓, 信封上有收件人地址"Mr. C.T. Hsia, 205 Chia Hua Street, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China" 及寄件人地址"Chang, 1315 C St. SE, Apt. 22, Washington, D.C. 20003."
Letter from Eileen Chang to C.T. Hsia, September 1966 An airletter from Eileen Chang to C.T. Hsia, 1966. In this letter dated Sept 14, Eileen Chang informs Hsia of her new address. This letter also has an attachment to Mr. Ping Xingtao. This attachment explains that the version of "Yuan Nu" publish in Crown Press should not be used for her book. The envelope has 5 USPS 5-cents stamps. The back of the envelope is stamped 16 Sept 1966 Washington DC; also has one Taiwan stamped 22 Sept. It is addressed to "Mr. Chih-tsing Hsia, 205 Chin Hua Street, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China" from "Reyher, 1315 C St. SE, Apt. 22, Washington, D.C. 20003."; 張愛玲寄給夏志清的信, 1966. 這封信註明9月15日寫的. 張愛玲告知夏志清新家地址. 並附上寄給平鑫濤的信函. 信裡面說明皇冠連載"怨女"係原以為遺失之稿, 不同意皇冠根據連載"怨女"出書. 信封上有5張5分錢的郵票, 信封背面有郵政戳印日期為1966年9月16日華盛頓及另一個台灣郵政戳印日期為9月22日, 信封上有收件人地址"Mr. Chih-tsing Hsia, 205 Chin Hua Street, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China"及寄件人地址"Reyher, 1315 C St. SE, Apt. 22, Washington, D.C. 20003."
Letter from Eileen Chang to C.T. Hsia with envelope, October 1966 A letter from Eileen Chang to C.T. Hsia, 1966. In this letter dated October 13, Eileen Chang discussed with Hsia about the progress of some of her works, such as the translation of "Jin Suo Ji", "Lian Huan Tao", "Shi Ba Chun", "and "Yuan Nu". The USPS 11 cents airletter stamped Oct 15 1966 Oxford, Ohio is addressed to "Mr. C.T. Hsia, 205 Kinhwa Street, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China" from "Reyher, c/o University Center, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056."; 張愛玲寄給夏志清的信, 1966. 這封信註明10月13日寫的. 張愛玲與夏志清討論幾本作品的進度, 如: 英譯"金鎖記", "連環套", "十八春", "怨女". 郵簡上有11分錢的郵票印章, 郵政戳印日期為1966年10月15日奧荷華州, 並有收件人地址"Mr. C.T. Hsia, 205 Kinhwa Street, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China" 及寄件人地址"Reyher, c/o University Center, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056."
Letter from Eileen Chang to C.T. Hsia, June 1974 A letter from Eileen Chang to C.T. Hsia, 1974. In this letter dated June 9, Eileen Chang mentions about her old short stories: "Lian Huan Tao", "Chuang Shi Ji", "Yin Baoyan Song Hua Lou Hui", "Hong Bai Mei Gui", "Shi Ba Chun", and "Tan Kan Shu". She also talks about her research study on Ding Ling. Then she asks Hsia to help her search for books in Columbia University Library. The envelope has USPS 13 cents-airmail stamp with dated stamp of 10 June 1974 Los Angeles. CA is addressed to "Professor C.T. Hsia, 415 West 115th St., Apt. 22, New York, N.Y. 10025" from address "Chang, 1825 N. Kingsley Dr., Apt. 305, Hollywood, CA 90027."; 張愛玲寄給夏志清的信,1974. 這封信註明年6月9日寫的. 張愛玲提到幾篇舊的小說"連環套", "創世紀", "殷寶灩送花樓會", "紅白玫瑰", "十八春", 及"談看書". 也提到寫丁玲的研究. 並請夏志清至哥大圖書館幫忙找書. 信封上有一個十三分錢的空運郵票, 郵政戳印日期為1974年6月10日洛杉磯, 並有收件人地址"Professor C.T. Hsia, 415 West 115th St., Apt. 22, New York, N.Y. 10025" 及寄件人地址"Chang, 1825 N. Kingsley Dr., Apt. 305, Hollywood, CA 90027."
Letter from Eileen Chang to C.T. Hsia, December 1966 A letter from Eileen Chang to C.T. Hsia, 1966. In this letter dated December 30, Eileen Chang mentions that she is editing "Shi Ba Chun", and also discusses about movie script's commissions with Hsia. The USPS 11 cents airletter stamped Dec 31 1966 Oxford, Ohio is addressed to "Mr. C.T. Hsia, 205 Chin Hua Street, Taipei, TAIWAN, Republic of China" from "Reyher, c/o University Center, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056."; 張愛玲寄給夏志清的信, 1966. 這封信註明12月30日寫的. 張愛玲在信中提到正在修改"十八春", 並提到劇本抽成之事. 信封上有十一分錢的郵票印章, 郵政戳印日期為1966年12月31日奧荷華州, 信封上有收件人地址"Mr. C.T. Hsia, 205 Chin Hua Street, Taipei, TAIWAN, Republic of China"及寄件人地址"Reyher, c/o University Center, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056."
Letter from Eileen Chang to C.T. Hsia, April 1967 A letter from Eileen Chang to C.T. Hsia, 1967. In this letter dated April 29, Eileen Chang informs Hsia that she has moved from Ohio to New York to see doctors. She also tells Hsia that she has finished making copies of "Shi Ba Chun". On the other hand, USIS has agreed to re-publish "Yang Ge". The envelope has USPS 5 cents-stamp with dated stamp of 29 Apr 1967 New York, N.Y. is addressed to "Mr. C.T. Hsia, 415 West 115th Street, Apt. 22, New York, N.Y. 10025" from address "Chang, Hotel Alamac, Rm. 730, 71 St. & Broadway, N.Y.C. 10023."; 張愛玲寄給夏志清的信,1967. 這封信註明4月29日寫的. 張愛玲通知夏志清已從奧荷華搬去紐約看醫生. 也交代"十八春"已複印好一份. 美新處"秧歌"已同意皇冠再版. 信封上有五分錢的郵票, 郵政戳印日期為1967年4月29日紐約, 並有收件人地址"Mr. C.T. Hsia, 415 West 115th Street, Apt. 22, New York, N.Y. 10025" 及寄件人地址"Chang, Hotel Alamac, Rm. 730, 71 St. & Broadway, N.Y.C. 10023."
Eileen Chang with Ying Yan， ca. 1944
Eileen Chang with her aunt, [s.d.] Eileen Chang with her aunt， [s.d.]. This picture was taken on the balcony of my aunt's apartment. She jokingly told me that I shouldn't grow taller anymore. She wrote with a pencil on the back of the picture saying "Even though I look bad in the picture, her stance is natural so I wanted to show you. Kids often play around this area." After 2 years, she told me that my mom had trusted me to her. She needed to declare it to prevent me from getting closer to my aunt than my mother. -- "Dui Zhao Ji", p. 029; 张爱玲与她姑姑的照片，[s.d.]. "在我姑姑的屋顶阳台上。她央告我'可不能在长高了。'我这张难看极了小瑛很自然所以寄给你看看这地方是汽车间顶上小孩玩的地方我们头顶上的窗就是我的Sitting room的。显然他是寄给我母亲同一照片寄出的一张上题字的底稿。我再稍大两岁她就告诉我她是答应我母亲照应我的。她需要声明，大概也是怕我跟他比跟我母亲更亲近，成了离间亲子感情。"-- 对照记，p. 029

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Eileen Chang with Xianglan Li, ca. 1943 Eileen Chang with Xianglan Li, ca.1943. In 1943, I met the celebrity Li Xianglan(originally Japanese). I wanted to take a picture with her but I was too tall and it wouldn't have looked good so someone found a stool for me to sit down and she had to stand beside me. In the book "Yu Yun", it talks about this cloth. -- "Dui Zhao Ji", p. 065; 张爱玲和李香兰的照片, ca.1943。"一九四三年在园游会中遇见影星李香兰（原是日本人山口淑子），要合拍张照，我太高，并立会相映成趣，有人找了张椅子来让我坐下，只好委屈她侍立一旁。《余韵》书中提起我祖母的一张夹被的被面做的衣服，就是这一件。是我姑姑拆下来保存的。虽说[陈丝如烂草]，那裁缝居然不皱眉，一声不出拿了去，照炎樱的设计做了下来。米色薄绸上潵淡墨点，隐着暗紫凤凰，很有画意，别处没看见过类似的图案。"-- 对照记，p. 065
Letter from Eileen Chang to C.T. Hsia, 1965 A letter from Eileen Chang to C.T. Hsia, 1965. In this letter dated October 31, Eileen Chang discusses about her novel "Yuan Nu" with Hsia. She also expresses her interest to translate the Chinese classic novel "Hai Shang Hua" into English. In this letter, Eileen Chang mentions the Chinese author Nie Hualing whom she has heard of. The USPS 5 cents-envelope with dated stamp of 1 Nov 1965 Washington DC is addressed to "Mr. C.T. Hsia, 415 W. 115th St. Apt. 22, New York, N.Y. 10025" from"Chang, 1315 C St. SE, #22, Washington, D.C. 20003."; 張愛玲寄給夏志清的信與信封, 1965. 這封信註明10月31日寫的. 張愛玲於此信中與夏志清討論她的作品"怨女", 並表示對翻譯中國小說"海上花"有興趣. 信中也提到曾聽過作家聶華苓的名字. 信封上有五分錢的郵票, 郵政戳印日期為1965年11月1日華盛頓, 並有收件人地址"Mr. C.T. Hsia, 415 W. 115th St. Apt. 22, New York, N.Y. 10025" 及寄件人地址"Chang, 1315 C St. SE, #22, Washington, D.C. 20003."