Christianity in contemporary Asian American literature : (mis)-translations of the word.

Postcolonial critics often assume that Christianity is an oppressive Western religion that imposes cultural and political "colonization" and is therefore intentionally "subverted" or "ironized" by contemporary Asian American writers. From the perspectives of Christian literary and cultural theories, however, this dissertation argues that such a power-oriented interpretation is oversimplifying. Instead, we should acknowledge the spiritual dimension many of these writers intend to cultivate as well as distinguish the cross-cultural "translations" they present from the "real presence" of Christianity. Chapter one surveys the mainstream criticism on Asian American literature's presentation of Christianity and introduces related Christian literary and cultural theories. When its message is translated cross-culturally, Christianity can embody the receptor cultures and empower them to resist political hegemony. To attain an accurate translation, however, the translator must understand fundamental Christian conceptions such as the Fall, the Incarnation of Christ as the Word made flesh, the cross, and the redemption. Chapter two focuses on Christianity's relationship with culture as portrayed in Arny Tan's fiction. Lacking a proper cross-cultural translation, the Christianity filtered through the syncretistic and pragmatic religious mindset of Tan's Chinese immigrant characters appears to be a superficial Western religion ill suiting the Chinese cultural heritage. Chapter three explores Christianity's relationship with colonization and social justice as presented in Joy Kogawa's novels. Without an adequate understanding of Christ's Incarnation and suffering, Kogawa's narrator presents a "liberation translation," which reveals the problematic nature of the power-oriented approach to Christianity. Chapter four treats Theresa Rak Kyung Cha's Dictee as a case study that examines Christianity's relationships with culture, colonization, and language. Cha points out that due to the "fallen" condition of human language and motivation, Christianity, like many other forms of truth, is often manipulated and mistranslated. In contrast to the power-oriented postcolonial advocate, Cha suggests that the way of the cross, embodying love and self-sacrifice, overcomes injustice and reveals truth. Chapter five presents a brief conclusion.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Blackburn, Di Gan.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• LeMaster, J. R., 1934-

• Tan, Amy -- Criticism and interpretation.
• Kogawa, Joy -- Criticism and interpretation.
• Cha, Theresa Hak Kyung -- Criticism and interpretation.
• American literature -- Asian American authors -- History and criticism.
• Christianity in literature.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/14560

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/14560