Komodyfikacja krwi w wybranych utworach chińskiej literatury współczesnej na przykładzie Kronik sprzedawcy krwi Yu Hua oraz Snu wioski Ding Yana Lianke

Abstract

Blood commodification in selected works of Chinese contemporary literature based on Chronicle of a Blood Merchant by Yu Hua and Dream of Ding Village by Yan Lianke Narratives that touch upon the topic of physical disease have had a long-standing presence in Chinese literature. In many examples, such narratives serve to present certain abnormal conditions in society. The AIDS epidemic, which erupted in rural China in the 1990s – an event both recorded and officially acknowledged – is an example of such a horrific real-life event depicted in literary works. Blood-selling, which is known to be the direct cause of the tragedy, also became the starting point for two Chinese novels, both translated into major languages: Chronicle of a Blood Merchant by Yu Hua and Dream of Ding Village by Yan Lianke. Even though both novels present clear links to the AIDS epidemic, their content and form elicited contrasting reactions in China. This article presents metaphorical interpretations of how blood-selling is depicted in the novels. The comparison of these two helps to better understand the near opposite reception of the works. Furthermore, the proposed notion of commodification reveals the impermanence of the traditional mindset once a chance to improve the economic situation appears.