Thesis
State, nationalism, and women in Chinese media: A case study of China Pictorial 1950-2009
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2010
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/103089
Abstract
In order to answer the question that why Chinese women's media image has gone through a dramatic transformation in the last six decades, this study uses content and semiotic analysis to explore the significations of women's image on China Pictorial, a state-subsidized publication from 1950 to 2009. The study also explores the relationships between these women's images, including female ethnic minorities' images, and Chinese media's promotion of nationalism. The results show that women's images have gone through dramatic changes since the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949. However, women, as a signifier in Chinese media's discourse, their gender identity is still subordinate to their national identity. Their gender identity is appropriated by the Party-State 1) to signify a modern China which is wealthy and strong; 2) to symbolize Chinese traditional culture; 3) to embody China's willingness to integrate with the world; 4) to be the bearer of national emotions. Special attention is paid to female ethnic minorities. They are appropriated by the Party-State as 1) symbols of political unity; 2) bearers of aboriginal cultures; and 3) entertainers for the nation. This paper argues that this appropriation relies on the existent gender hierarchy in Chinese society. The gender power relation is utilized to represent the power hierarchy existing between various social groups, such as the Han majority and other ethnic minority groups, the ruling Party-State and the denizens, the West and the East's mode of modernization or forms of art. China Pictorial, as a state-subsidized publication serving the purpose of promoting China's image in the world, discursively constructs both nationalistic subjects and images aim at evoking nationalistic sentiments. In both respects, women are either the symbolic resources or discursive targets.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- State, nationalism, and women in Chinese media
- Creators
- Jing Chen
- Contributors
- E. Lincoln James (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Edward R. Murrow College of Communication
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900524869101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis