Download pdf
Symphony of Sex, Power, and the Absurdity of Existence: On the Power Mechanism and State of Existence in "The Golden Age"
- 1 Sichuan University
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This paper delves into the intricate dynamics of power and existence as portrayed in Wang Xiaobo's seminal work "The Golden Age," set against the backdrop of the Cultural Revolution. It scrutinizes the novel's parody and deconstruction of the power mechanisms that characterized this tumultuous era, shedding light on the existential dilemmas faced by individuals within the context of an absurd society. By examining the narrative's subversion of the status quo and its depiction of human nature under duress, the paper underscores the pervasive impact of power on individual autonomy and the essence of personal identity. The study reveals how "The Golden Age" transcends its historical setting to offer a timeless meditation on the human condition, particularly in relation to the quest for authenticity and freedom amidst societal absurdity. Wang Xiaobo's work is not merely a historical account but a profound philosophical inquiry into the nature of power and its capacity to warp human experience. Through a close analysis of the text, this paper aims to demonstrate the author's unwavering commitment to the ideals of personal liberty and the inherent dignity of human beings, as well as his relentless pursuit of spiritual emancipation in the face of life's absurdities
Keywords
"The Golden Age", Power Mechanism, State of Existence, Sexual Description, Existence
[1]. Dai, J.H. (1998). The Wise Man's Banter - Reading Wang Xiaobo. Contemporary Writers Review, 2, 21-34.
[2]. Wang, H.L. (2011). The Hidden Scene. Beijing: Sanlian Life, Reading, New Knowledge Bookstore, p. 413.
[3]. Wang, X.B. (2021). My Spiritual Homeland. Beijing: Beijing October Literature and Art Publishing House, p. 36.
[4]. Duan, J.J., & Yin, X.L. (2006). The Power Connotation of Revolutionary Discourse in Red Narratives. Jianghan Forum, 4, 117-120
[5]. Wang, X.B. (1995). On Style. China Youth Studies, 4, 8-10.
Cite this article
Shi,J. (2025). Symphony of Sex, Power, and the Absurdity of Existence: On the Power Mechanism and State of Existence in "The Golden Age". Communications in Humanities Research,62,40-45.
Data availability
The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.
Disclaimer/Publisher's Note
The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of EWA Publishing and/or the editor(s). EWA Publishing and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.
About volume
Volume title: Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Literature, Language, and Culture Development
© 2024 by the author(s). Licensee EWA Publishing, Oxford, UK. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and
conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. Authors who
publish this series agree to the following terms:
1. Authors retain copyright and grant the series right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons
Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this
series.
2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the series's published
version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial
publication in this series.
3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and
during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See
Open access policy for details).