Introduction
– Introduce Lao She and Xia Yan, the literary background of the two writers
– Briefly describe the main contents of the two plays and emphasize how the two works show the social changes of the big era through the perspective of the small characters
Thesis Statement: Comparatively analyze how the minor characters in the two works reflect the social and cultural conflicts of the big time.
Background:
– Describe the period context of the two works (Beijing in the late Qing Dynasty and Shanghai during the war)
– Discuss the major social and political changes in Chinese society during this period and how these changes affected the lives of ordinary people
Character Analysis:
– Character analysis of the key characters in The Teahouse: Wang Lifa and Chang Si Master, and how they reflect the pressures of the times and the struggles of individuals
– Character analysis of key characters in Under the Roof of Shanghai: Xiao Cui, Boss Zhou, and others, exploring their survival strategies in the midst of war and social upheaval.
The intertwining of minor characters with the big time:
– Discuss how the author uses the stories of these minor characters to comment on social issues and historical changes
Reflections on Culture and Society:
– Analyze how two authors provide insightful social criticism through their literary excavations of social injustice and human nature
Conclusion:
