라이허(賴和) 작품세계와 타이완신문학

Abstract

This study analyzes Laihe’s literary work into five periods including his political and social activities. He started writing his unpublished political and social activities where readers can perceive background of his main characters and his literary style(majority of them were 漢詩). The following period began when he became active in Taiwan Cultural Association. Aware of the competing political views, his works became more varied. His style was intended to be more of a spoken form rather than written. He was then an established writer of Taiwanese Literature for prose and the colloquial Chinese novel. The next phase presents a shift towards Taiwanese Language Movement. He wrote in various genres, and used colloquial Chinese along with Taiwanese language. His subjects were the conflicts in national traits, modernity, and colonialism. He was able to maintain momentum despite cultural suppression by Japan. Folk literature and Taiwanese language literature formed as extension of the latter period. His published writings were hardly seen after this period. The final period was from 1936 to his death. He longed for change but admittedly failed, he only could leave 漢詩 as his mark in the literary world. He carried on establishing prose and novels that represents the fundamental spirit of Taiwanese New Literature into action, also emphasizing creativity for other writers to emulate. Laihe is thus worthy to be called 'the father of Taiwanese New Literature'.