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Publication Date

2024-05-13

First Advisor

Jessica Moyer

Document Type

Honors Project

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

East Asian Languages and Cultures

Keywords

Nandan, Jingju, societal change, gender, sexuality, social strata, Republican Era China, Qing China

Abstract

From novels to movies to music, Chinese popular culture has been enamored with the nandan-a male actor who plays female characters in Jingju (Peking Opera)-for the last hundred years, evolving from a theatrical curiosity to a symbol of national identity and high art by the mid-20th century. This thesis explores the transformative role of the nandan as it relates to Chinese society from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) through the Republican Era (1911-1949). The nandan, traditionally viewed within the confines of the theatre, reflects broader societal changes in gender, sexuality, and social status. By employing historiography, close reading, and performance analysis, I delve into the evolution of the nandan from mere theatrical performers to symbols of Chinese national identity. This research highlights Qing restrictions on female performers as a catalyst for the rise of the nandan, and the factors that allowed this figure to morph into a respected icon during the Republican Era. Through a detailed examination of the classic opera The Drunken Concubine and key figures such as Ouyang Yuqian and Mei Lanfang, the thesis underscores the nandan's dual role as both a performer and a cultural intermediary, reflecting and influencing the changing dynamics of Chinese society. This analysis reveals the intricate interplay between theater and the socio-political landscape, asserting the nandan not only as a component of cultural heritage but also as a mirror of societal evolution in Republican China.

Rights

©2024 Bailey Hightower. Access limited to the Smith College community and other researchers while on campus. Smith College community members also may access from off-campus using a Smith College log-in. Other off-campus researchers may request a copy through Interlibrary Loan for personal use.

Language

English, Chinese

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