The Best Chinese Writers

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

First of all, writer uses air raid as the consequence that conspired to create the setting: "if there hadn’t been an air raid, if the city hadn’t been sealed, the tramcar would have gone on forever. The city was sealed. The alarm – bell rang" (499). Zhang Ailing wants to accentuate that man and woman meet each other every day; tramcars cross the city back and forth all the time. However, the enforced stopping of time, throws two strangers together to ruminate a fantasy of romance. Another occurrence that sparked the meeting between two main characters Lu Zongzhen and Wu Cuiyuan was the Lu’s avoidance of a potential son-in-law. "The idea of being stuck in the same car with Dong Peizhi while the city was sealed off was too horrible to contemplate! Lu quickly closed his briefcase… fled in a great rush to seat across the aisle…he was screened by Wu Cuiyuan, who occupied the seat next to him, and his nephew could not possibly see him" (502). Without these two circumstances, the characters would have not met. Tramcar, together with other people and creates a frame to the story. Alarm bell indicates the disruption of the loud and busy Shangai’s life.

Within the site, author introduces Wu Cuiyuan, one of the main characters that is trapped in the tramcar who "looked like one of those young Christian wives, though she was still unmarried" (500). Author captures her psychological isolation while the city is shut down. Despite the fact that her appearance is very blank, simple and almost banal, author takes advantage of the situation and reveals her inner complexity. Zhang Ailing shows her feministic struggles in traditional Chinese culture. The moment Wu realizes that she gives A’s to one of her student, she starts questioning herself why. Wu comes to conclusion that the student respects her and treats her like a man. "HE treated her like an intelligent, sophisticated as if she were a man, someone, who relay understood"(501). This shows a huge accomplishment for her in the men dominated world. However, her biggest struggle is to balance the professional world with traditional women’s responsibilities. Although, her parents pushed her to study hard, they also want her to marry a rich man. Through Cuiyuan character, Zhang Ailing wants to break conventional mode of women and innovate feministic ideas to her culture. Wu said: " In this world there are more good people that real people…Cuiyuan wasn’t very happy" (501). The word "good" represents citizens, who live day to day without questioning their purpose. Contrary, "real" people are brainstorming self consciousness. Cuyiuan is one of the "real" people.

The second character that shares similar struggles is Lu Zongzhen. Although Ailing first shows his absentmindness by simply observing surroundings and his thought what he will have for dinner. Later, during the conversation with Wu, readers get full confession of what is going through his mind. With abundance of time Zongzhen also recognizes his meaningless life. he comes to realization that his life goal is " just keep going getting by without thinking –above all don’t start thinking!" (504). Zhang Ailing remarks monotonous life he lives every day. it seems there is no break trough in any aspect of his life. He is not passionate about his job; he questions himself why and most important whom he is earning money for. Along with dead end job, Zongzhen is trapped in his marriage too. There is no emotional connection between him and his wife. Lu is also one of the "real" people.

The short romantic connection between these two characters gives them a refreshing reality in this still moment. They both share similar struggles. Their meeting creates a daydream, an opportunity for emotional change. Lu is looking for woman’s attention, while Cuiyuan finds a man who values her intelligence. "They fall in love" (505). With that said, author summates their desperation. The outside world doesn’t even exist anymore. The instant connection releases them from their vacant lives. Readers can fell sympathy towards both characters.Zonghen thinking the possibility of getting a concubine while Cuyiuan wants to "get back" at her parents. Ironically, it is just a fantasy that both characters dream during the air raid. The alarm bell rings and they must wake up from their fantasy. Neither of them wants the moment to end, but the city starts moving. Bell ring plays significant role in this story; it represents the beginning and the end of the painful yet comforting thinking. Sadly, the noises surrounding them bring back to reality and cynically Zonghzen escapes first and returns to his original seat. For all that, author shows Wu’s strong intellectual mind state, but also shares the solitary side. Wu emotionally yarns for the possibility of future exchange with Zanghzen. On the other hand author portrays very interesting moment where they exchange phone numbers. It seems none of them really want to do that’ it is more polite way to end their meeting. She did not give her pencil, while he was just " mumbiling the number over and over" (506).