From Fantasy to Realism R.F. Kuang’s Exploration of Postcolonial Themes

Abstract

In this thesis, I analyse the works by R.F. Kuang and examine the way she engages with postcolonial themes in each book. This thesis explores the continuity and unity in R.F. Kuang's works to deepen the understanding of postcolonial themes and illustrate the evolving nature of imperialism across historical and contemporary contexts. By examining Kuang's transition from fantasy to literary realism, it demonstrates how her narrative strategies reveal the persistent impact of colonialism. Utilizing close and comparative reading strategies, the thesis argues that moving away from speculative fiction to realism is crucial for addressing contemporary issues that relate to colonial histories, bridging the past and present. The first chapter examines the way fantasy as a genre can be used to approach representations of historical events, and uses the representation of the Nanjing Massacre in The Poppy War (2018) as a case study. The second chapter analyses the role of translation and language in Babel (2022), and argues that translation is used as a metaphor for colonial oppression in light of languages’ cultural significance. Lastly, the third chapter engages with Yellowface (2023) and how the novel approaches questions about cultural appropriation and authorship. Ultimately, the thesis concludes that despite the different approaches and genres throughout the novels, there is a clear red thread between them regarding the treatment of postcolonial themes. They all offer unique perspectives while still being in conversation with each other.