Communist Handlers Reinvented: Ha Jin’s A Map of Betrayal and Viet Thanh Nguyen’s The Sympathizer

• 영문명: Communist Handlers Reinvented: Ha Jin’s A Map of Betrayal and Viet Thanh Nguyen’s The Sympathizer
• 발행기관: 한국아메리카학회
• 저자명: Da Som Lee Kun Jong Lee
• 간행물 정보: 『미국학논집』제49집 2호, 105~128쪽, 전체 24쪽
• 주제분류: 인문학 > 기타인문학
• 파일형태: PDF
• 발행일자: 2017.09.30

영문 초록

This essay examines the communist handlers in Ha Jin’s A Map of Betrayal and Viet Thanh Nguyen’s The Sympathizer. Departing from the stereotypical characterization, the handlers of the two novels—Bingwen in A Map of Betrayal and Man in The Sympathizer—are developed into intricate characters that subvert the traditional representations of Asian communist spies. To study the handlers significance in counteracting the Asian communist villain stereotype, the essay first examines Bingwen’s limited yet noteworthy departure from the communist Asian spy trope as a hidden victim of the communist regime. It then explicates Man’s humanity and complexity that decisively refutes the red-yellow peril stereotype. Lastly, it elucidates how the two authors’ agenda for the novel cause the difference in the level of character development of the handlers. In so doing, this essay attempts to enhance the understanding of the novels’ political criticisms and demonstrate the ongoing process of Asian American literature moving away from repeating the stereotypes of Asian communist spy to recreating a nuanced character of human complexity.

목차

I. Introduction

II. Discovering the Humanity of a Villain: Bingwen in A Map of Betrayal

III. Humanity and Complexity Incarnate: Man in The Sympathizer

IV. Construing the Difference Between Bingwen and Man

V. Conclusion

키워드

Ha Jin Viet Thanh Nguyen Asian American Literature Asian Communist Spy Asian Stereotype