Alternative Representations of the Past : The Politics of History in Modern China

The relationship between the Chinese nation and its recent past has been fraught with contradictions and tensions. This collection aims to make sense of this complex relationship and challenge the prevalent state-centric and nation-centric modes of history writing on modern China. It explores alternative representations of the past and the salience of political conflicts and competitive histories in China, highlighting the paradoxical similarities in such representations of the past from the late nineteenth century to the present. Ultimately, this book contributes to the ongoing discussion on the politics of interpreting the past and its many manifestations in both China and other societies. “This volume will contribute to the scholarly debate on the use of the past in national history.” **Tze-ki Hon**, City University of Hong Kong “__Alternative Representations of the Past__ presents a collection of essays that critically examine the ways in which the contradicting and contested enterprise of history has been politicized in China. As ‘memory is past made present’, the meticulous re-evaluation of Chinese history by the contributors of this volume promises to offer readers valuable insights into contemporary China.” **Chang-Yau Hoon**, Associate Professor and Director, Centre for Advanced Research, Universiti Brunei Darussalam The relationship between the Chinese nation and its recent past has been fraught with contradictions and tensions. This collection aims to make sense of this complex relationship and challenge the prevalent state-centric and nation-centric modes of history writing on modern China. It explores alternative representations of the past and the salience of political conflicts and competitive histories in China, highlighting the paradoxical similarities in such representations of the past from the late nineteenth century to the present. Ultimately, this book contributes to the ongoing discussion on the politics of interpreting the past and its many manifestations in both China and other societies. “This volume will contribute to the scholarly debate on the use of the past in national history.” Tze-ki Hon, City University of Hong Kong “Alternative Representations of the Past presents a collection of essays that critically examine the ways in which the contradicting and contested enterprise of history has been politicized in China. As 'memory is past made present', the meticulous re-evaluation of Chinese history by the contributors of this volume promises to offer readers valuable insights into contemporary China.” Chang-Yau Hoon, Associate Professor and Director, Centre for Advanced Research, Universiti Brunei Darussalam .. Acknowledgements Contents Introduction: Politicized Histories in Modern China From Renaissance Heroine to May Fourth Female Paragon: Laura M. White’s Recreation of Romola (1863) in her Chinese Translation Luanshi Nühao (1923) Globalized Memories: Creating a Historical Space for Medical Pioneers in Modern China The Social and Political Lives of G. William Skinner and Chinese Society in Thailand Between Chaos and Liberty: Chinese Uses of the French Revolution of 1789 Imagining the Future from History: The Tang Dynasty and the “China Dream” May Fourth Memories: PRC Media Representations of a Historical Moment, 1959 and 1989 Notes on Contributors Index The Volume Examines The Modern Interpretations Of Transnational History Of China In Modern Asia. By Investigating Topics In Gender, Linguistics, Literature, Philosophy, And Politics, The Volume Reveals A Range Of Myths And Counter-narratives, In Which History Is Interwoven With Rhetoric To Justify Current Actions, Ideas, And Policies.