Preliminary Study on the Concern for the Grassroots in Mo Yan's Sandalwood Death

Abstract

This paper attempts to explore the issue of grassroots concern in Mo Yan's long novel, Sandalwood Death. Published in 2001, the novel immediately caused a stir, eliciting both high praise and criticism. Behind the surface of exaggerated violence and language, the novel conceals a treasure Mo Yan unearthed from a folk perspective. As the 1985 “Root-Seeking Literature” manifesto declared: “Literature has roots, and the roots of literature should be deeply embedded in the soil of the national cultural tradition; without deep roots, the leaves will struggle to flourish.” Our responsibility is to “release the thermal energy of modern concepts to reforge and burnish the 'national self'.” Sandalwood Death continues Lu Xun's theme of critiquing the national character, deepening it and demonstrating profound significance.