Exploring World Literature: TAIWAN

-Have aboriginal beginnings: genetically related to Malay and Polynesians, and linguists classify their language as Austronesian -Has been ruled by the Han Chinese, the Japanese, and the Europeans. -Very spiritual: Buddhists, Confuciasts, and Taoists -Taiwan's culture is a hybrid blend of Confucianist Han Chinese, Japanese, European, and American influences -Since the Taiwan localization movement of the 1990s, Taiwan's cultural identity has been allowed greater expression -Identity politics, along with the over one hundred years of political separation from mainland China has led to distinct traditions in many areas, including cuisine, opera, and music - Though the status of Taiwanese culture is debated (if it's part of Chinese culture or a distinct culture), speaking Hoklo has become an emblem of Taiwanese identity.

*People’s Republic of China (Communist Party) and the Republic of China (Kuomintang) were once united when fighting against Japanese in 1945. *Corruption and instabilityà Separation of parties *Kuomintang, under Chiang Kai-shek, moved from mainland China to Taiwan *1960s and 1970s, the ROC had a booming economy and became industrializedà One of the Four Asian Tigers *Until the end of the Cold War, most Western nations and the United Nations regarded the ROC as the sole legitimate government of China…but in the 1970s, most nations began switching recognition to the PRC. *The Republic of China transitioned into a democracy over the 1990s. A divide in Taiwanese politics has emerged between the Pan-Blue Coalition (favors eventual Chinese reunification) vs. the Pan-Green Coalition (favors eventual Taiwan independence)

Once upon a time there was no donkey in Guizhou. So someone officious shipped one there, but finding no use for it, he set it loose at the foot of the mountain. A tiger ran out from the mountains. When he saw this big tall thing, he thought it must be divine. He quickly hid himself in the forest and surveyed it from under cover. Sometimes the tiger ventured a little nearer, but still kept a respectful distance. One day the tiger came out again. Just then the donkey gave a loud bray. Thinking the donkey was going to eat him, the tiger hurriedly ran away. After a while he sneaked back and watched the donkey carefully. He found that though it had a huge body it seemed to have no special ability. After a few days the tiger gradually became accustomed to its braying and was no longer so afraid. Sometimes he even came near and circled around the donkey. Later the tiger became bolder. Once he walked in front of the donkey and purposely bumped it. This made the donkey so angry that it struck out his hind legs and kicked wildly. Seeing this the tiger was very gleeful, 'Such a big thing as you can do so little!' With a roar he pounced on the donkey and ate it up.

“The Donkey of Guizhou” illustrates multiple morals and relations. However, the three main ideas “The Donkey of Guizhou” reveals are the political relations between Taiwan and China on a domestic level, the current political relations between countries on an international level, such as the U.S. and Iraq, and how first impressions are not always correct. Since the fall of the Kuomintang and the rise of Red China in 1949, Taiwan has established its own culture and identity, setting itself apart from mainland China. So on a domestic level, Taiwan may have the upper hand over China. In “The Donkey of Guizhou,” Taiwan could represent the tiger and China the donkey. Like the tiger, Taiwan may have been wary of China at first, observing from afar its formidable force. But as time passed, Taiwan created a thriving economy and realized it could fend for its self. Though China is a huge country with an overwhelming population, its economy was struggling and filled with internal strife. China no longer posed a threat. Though Taiwan may be a small country, the Taiwanese people are large in spirit for they are capable of carving their own culture and preserving it for so long. Taiwan may have thought of China, “Such a big thing as you can do so little!” “The Donkey of Guizhou” could also be interpreted in a different light. Since China is massive, possesses a growing economy, and is labeled as the next world power, it could represent the tiger in this Chinese fable. Initially, China dismissed Taiwan’s existence because of Taiwan’s small size. But when Taiwan’s economy and culture gained it global spotlight, the Chinese noted Taiwan’s presence and thought Taiwan would be a threat to this domestic stability. If Taiwan gained enough allies and used its thriving economy to purchase or produce weaponry, China would be in direct danger. China kept a close eye on Taiwan for precaution, but nothing happened. Though Taiwan may have been seen as a threat like how the tiger saw the donkey as a threat, in the end, neither was something to be afraid of. “The Donkey of Guizhou” can also apply to the revelation of the current, political relations between countries on an international level. For example, the U.S. could represent the tiger, and Iraq and other countries could represent the donkey. After 9/11, the accusations of possessing weapons of mass destruction, and other possible terrorist threats, the U.S. finally recognized the Middle East as a peril to national security. But once America invades a country, that country succumbs to our presence, demonstrating America’s unwavering power. Though Iraq and multiple countries are initially seen as threats, their facades are erased once America, the tiger, attacks. “The Donkey of Guizhou contains multiple political connotations, but it also possesses a life lesson. In the beginning, the tiger was cautious around the donkey, thinking the donkey was a huge animal capable of inflicting death on the tiger. However, when the tiger bumped into the donkey, all it did was bray and stick out its hind legs. Realizing the donkey was of no real threat to the tiger, the tiger ate the donkey. This Chinese fable teaches us that first impressions are not always correct. One can’t automatically presume things about another based on his/her outward appearance. Like the saying, “You can’t judge a book by its cover,” this fable once again reiterates the importance of this message. You must get rid of a judgmental attitude for you will have no true friends in the end. “The Donkey of Guizhou” depicts multiple morals and relations. The political relations between Taiwan and China on a domestic level, the current political relations between countries on an international level, and how first impressions are not always correct are the main political and philosophical aspects one will gather from “The Donkey of Guizhou.” “The Donkey of Guizhou” allow readers to parallel and apply the tiger and donkey to real life situations and occurrences, therefore personalizing the fable to every individual.

This world literature partner project allowed me to discover an entirely new country and delve in to an untouched culture. The Taiwanese have grown and modernized, but managed to preserve their indigenous cultural pride and practices. This project formed a bridge between America and Taiwan. "The Donkey of Guizhou" connected me and Lynne, two people from very different countries and cultures, by presenting a moral lesson and political situations which pertain to each of our lives. I've realized that I still have much to learn about the world's diverse peoples, cultures, and literature.