The Rice Sprout Song
Encyclopedia
The Rice Sprout Song is a 1955 novel
by Eileen Chang
, the first novel she wrote in English. Detailing the hardships a peasant family faces in China, Chang elegantly describes how the bonds of family and kinship weather the forces of a food shortage.
captured Shanghai
, where Eileen Chang was living at the time. Three years later, in 1952, she moved to Hong Kong
, which at the time was governed by the British. There in Hong Kong Eileen wrote The Rice Sprout Song.
In the preface, Eileen Chang notes an incident published in the People's Literature
, a Communist publication which motivated her novel. It involved a writer recounting the events in northern China during the spring famine of 1950. The peasants, desperate for food, stormed the granary, but the Party members defended it by opening fire, killing and wounding the villagers. Feeling disillusioned by the failure of the Party, the writer published the story, which caused him much criticism, and under pressure, he severely criticized himself for doubting the Party.
For now, Gold Root T'an is living with his daughter, Beckon while his wife is working in the city to provide for her family.
Moon Scent T'an: One of the main protagonists of the story, the wife of Gold Root.
Beckon T'an: The daughter of Gold Root and Moon Scent, they named her Ah Chao, or Beckon, short for "Beckon for Brother, in the hope that a boy would follow in her wake."
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
by Eileen Chang
Eileen Chang
Eileen Chang was a Chinese writer. Her most famous works include Lust, Caution and Love in a Fallen City....
, the first novel she wrote in English. Detailing the hardships a peasant family faces in China, Chang elegantly describes how the bonds of family and kinship weather the forces of a food shortage.
Background
In 1949, Communist forces in ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
captured Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, where Eileen Chang was living at the time. Three years later, in 1952, she moved to Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, which at the time was governed by the British. There in Hong Kong Eileen wrote The Rice Sprout Song.
In the preface, Eileen Chang notes an incident published in the People's Literature
People's Literature
People's Literature was the first literary magazine to be created in communist China. The calligraphy for the title was done by Chairman Mao Zedong....
, a Communist publication which motivated her novel. It involved a writer recounting the events in northern China during the spring famine of 1950. The peasants, desperate for food, stormed the granary, but the Party members defended it by opening fire, killing and wounding the villagers. Feeling disillusioned by the failure of the Party, the writer published the story, which caused him much criticism, and under pressure, he severely criticized himself for doubting the Party.
Synopsis
The novel tells the story a pesant family and their struggle for basic sustenance while the government does little to help, and in fact, demands more goods from the peasants as they cope with the harsh weather and a food shortage. The book begins with the wedding of Gold Flower T'an, the sister of Gold Root T'an. In this part of the book, Chang shares with the reader Chinese family traditions and the bonds between family members. For example, a bride would be escorted by her family to the groom's house in a carrage where there would later be a wedding banquet hosted by the groom's family.For now, Gold Root T'an is living with his daughter, Beckon while his wife is working in the city to provide for her family.
Characters
Gold Root T'an: One of the main protagonists of the story, the story details the struggle he and his family face.Moon Scent T'an: One of the main protagonists of the story, the wife of Gold Root.
Beckon T'an: The daughter of Gold Root and Moon Scent, they named her Ah Chao, or Beckon, short for "Beckon for Brother, in the hope that a boy would follow in her wake."