Criticism of Literary Reception in “1,000 Years of Good Prayers”
The short story “1,000 Years of Good Prayers” written by Yiyun Li comprises influential reader reception based off of the dichotomous point of view. The story takes the course of the journey surrounding a father consoling his recently divorced daughter. The father, a native Chinese man known as Mr. Shi, is portrayed as content and happy, while his daughter appears to be quite sad and depressed. Mr. Shi befriends other residents in the neighborhood where he resides. He meets a very kind and jubilant lady known as ‘Madam’. She does not speak English well but expresses the beauty of America constantly through broken English and Persian. The exchange of dialogues between the character emulating the theme of happiness and the emphasis of a contrast between happiness and sadness is shattered once the reader finds out the truth of Mr. Shi’s daughter. Suman Gupta’s book “Contemporary Literature: The Basics” devolves an understanding of how reader reception is influenced in contemporary work. More specifically, Chapter 4: Reception will be used to support the materials relating to the story. In the article “Politics and the critical reception of contemporary Israeli literature in France” by Allouche-Chemla and Marie Rose, delves into the reception of Israeli literature. This source will correspond with my analyzation of literary reception. Secondly, the article “Reception Theory” by Edward Quinn, reception theory is argued on the premise that the work of literature is historically influenced, will also contribute to further developing my reception analysis. A pivotal feature in the story is the universal dialogue between Mr. Shi and Madam. They both speak different languages yet communicate universally. In the article “Contemporary Literature, 1970 –Present” by Linda Trinh Moser, explicates the use of universalism in American contemporary literature as well as the concepts of multiculturalism and globalization, this supports the analyzation of universalist symbology in the story. Finally, a further contextual resource will be used to relate the historical and personal connection of Yiyun Li to her work “1,000 Years of Good Prayers” as supported here in the “Yiyun Li” by Seiwoong Oh. The following body paragraphs will discuss how contemporary perception is impacted by point of view, reader interpretation based on the author’s context and intent, and understanding universalism in the story and how it constructs perception.
Firstly, point of view in “1,000 Years of Good Prayers” by Yiyun Li shifts from the objective narrator to the subjective sentiments of Mr. Shi, who paints a very colorful and positive depiction of the world through his eyes. To him, it is almost inconceivable that there is a possibility that one could be unhappy and miserable. When Mr. Shi’s daughter, who had recently been divorced, appears glum and desolate in her solace, he asks her why. Mr. Shi is curious as to why she seems to not be enjoying life. She resolutely responds with a neutral response of, “How do you get this conclusion? I’m enjoying my life all right” (Li 190) this is the inception of the reception shift. The narration of both the objective and subjective narrator have misled the reader to truly believe that Mr. Shi’s daughter is truly sad and lonely. However, at the turn of interesting events, we learn she is quite the contrary. In the beginning, Li paints the minds of the readers with a world that appears colorful in the eyes of Mr. Shi, which it is. However, Li had intentionally excluded the jovial lifestyle of Mr. Shi’s daughter to create an impressionistic intricacy between it of views, thus perspective which had greatly influenced the interpretation of reader reception. As Gupta had included in his book “Contemporary Literature: The Basics”, the concept of the implied reader is introduced. Gupta states that the ‘implied reader’ is one who “depends on what the text directs or nudges the reader to do” (Gupta 94). Thus, in Li’s story, the reader only expects a happy and positive setting due to the influence of the first narration, given by Mr. Shi. Next, this is quite a pivotal feature in Li’s work, is the ‘interpretative community’. This abstraction is actually introduced by Gupta and is defined as “the process of reading is dependent upon factors that are not contained in, but precede, the literary text” (Gupta 95). This cogitation relates to the story because it is a component of the structural shift of point of view and reader interpretation. As a reader, we rely on the narrator to inform and or instruct us of events. When the narration shifts, our trust and reliance in the narrator are altered. Because Li fabricated and systematically planned a small break and smooth shift in narration, the reader is not dramatically eluded as to the essence and stance of Mr. Shi’s attitude and role as a narrator. Ultimately, point of view in Li’s work “1,000 Years of Good Prayers” is analyzed in the view of reader reception, the author and reader reliance relationship, and the influence of personal context on the overall subjective narration of the story.
Analogously, the interpretation from the reader based on the author’s historical context and intent in the “1,000 Years of Good Prayers” is most assessed in the concept of reader reception. In the article “Yiyun Li” by Seiwoong Oh, focalizes on the life of author Yiyun Li and her work on “1,000 Years of Good Prayers”. According to the article, Yiyun’s father was a physicist. Equivalently, Oh mentions that “A Thousand Years of Good Prayers (2005), a collection of ten stories” (Oh 1). In the story, it is exhibited that Mr. Shi was a rocket scientist. This parallels to the uncovering that in real life, Yiyun Li’s father was a physicist. Li’s personal and historical background have influenced her work. This creates insight into the reason why Li concocted her characters as she did. Furtherly, the article “Reception Theory” by Edward Quinn, argue reception theory on the premise that the work of literature is historically influenced. This article coincides with Seiwoong Oh’s article as well, for the mention if Li’s background can account for the historical influence her past experiences had on “A Thousand Years of Good Prayers”. Oh, says that Li “grew up in Beijing, where she, as a child, witnessed state prisoners exhibited in denunciation ceremonies before their executions, was locked in her room, as a teenager, by her parents during the Tiananmen Square massacre” (Oh 1). Quinn presents the impact that historical context can have on a work if influenced by the author. In greater depth, Quinn argues the premise of reception theory and how it can ultimately affect point of view and reader interpretation. Quinn states, “reception theory argues that the work of literature is a historical phenomenon, not something transcendent or timeless” (Quinn 1). Comparatively, the article “Politics and the critical reception of contemporary Israeli literature in France” by Allouche-Chemla and Marie Rose delves into how Israeli literature has been received in France. Initially we can infer that because of the cultural and religious difference of these two countries, we can assume that the context of Israeli literature might be conflicting and or opposing when received in France. As Quinn had mentioned, the historical time period also ties into this influence. Chemla and Rose propose that “the reception of contemporary Israeli literature in France is largely influenced by politics” (Chemla and Rose 1). Politics can lead a great dominion over literature. Cultural and religious syntax can be quite influenced by politics because their interpretations and public sentimentality might be affected and or regulated when expressed. The form of writing has enabled millions to express themselves at the discretion of their safety. In their article, they claim that the Lebanon War of 1982 had impacted contemporary literature and the sentiments to war and terrorism had changed as well. Lebanese citizens in France would translate their homelands works to French in order to spread the expression of the Lebanese people. The French, who were not at war during this period, could not emotionally relate to the loss and pain of war. Thus, the Israeli’s literature bridged a gap. This can relate to the concept of a ‘real readers perspective’ in “Contemporary Literature: The Basics” by Sumna Gupta. Gupta had found this theory that readers who had read a work that had matched their unique experiences would be able to emotionally and psychologically relate to the text the most (Gupta 100). Most notably, we can agree that the reader’s interpretation of a text is reliant on their bias and personal knowledge. Irrevocably, the interpretation from the reader is affected by historical context, reader reception, and reader experience.
In correlation to reader interpretation, understanding universalism in the story and how it constructs perception will enable the reader to truly comprehend the veritable composition of Yiyun’s work “1,000 Years of Good Prayers”. Mr. Shi speaks to Madam and explains the concept of one thousand years of good prayers. Madam, barely fluent in English, is unable to understand everything clearly, but she smiles and nods as if she were fluent. This concept that words hold universal meanings is a part of the literary theory of universalism. Mr. Shi then abandons English and speaks in Chinese. He speaks about his life and the truth. Madam, not even understanding Chinese, somehow understand. She is able to comprehend the motions he expresses on his face and the gestures he makes. This concept is truly larger than words, it is truly based upon the emotions invested into the word when it is spoken (Li 192). In the article “Contemporary Literature, 1970 –Present” by Linda Trinh Moser, explicates the use of universalism in American contemporary literature as well as the concepts of multiculturalism and globalization. The town where Mr. Shi’s daughter lives is quite culturally diverse. Thus, the context here is multiculturalism and the influence of Chinese American culture on the interpretation and setting within the text. Moser expresses how in the 1970’s American literature was most diverse. It was, “characterized by an extraordinary proliferation of imaginative writing, a good deal of it by African, Native, Asian, and Latino Americans who have found success in all literary genres — fiction, poetry, memoir and autobiography, and drama” (Moser 1). Li’s work might offend or relieve the Chinese community who can relate to strict governments and intense penalties. This, in turn, might have offended some members of the even the Chinese American community. Moser presents an interesting claim, “The struggle to define an alternative identity and positive presence in American letters led to a type of cultural nationalism that promoted strict and usually narrow visions of identity” (Moser 1). This is quite a controversial and blatant claim, however, that was the point: that American culturalism only facilitated nationalism and a sense of cultural restriction to foreigners. In this time period, there was also the emergence of “Asian universal knowledge” in which only structurally identified Asian-born or writers of Asian descent in order to gain a realm of fame and recognition to honor their vanquishment of adversity. Although American literature cannot always be viewed as a racially or ethnically homogenous, everyone has their opportunity to gain reputation and representation in their niche (Moser 1). Finally, in the revisited article “Politics and the critical reception of contemporary Israeli literature in France” by Allouche-Chemla and Marie Rose, universalism can be depicted by the mutual understanding of events: war. The context of this article had focalized on contemporary literature after the Lebanon War of 1982. Residents in France which had received Lebanese literature could grow to sympathize with their loss and tragedy based upon the mutual platform of emotion, in which universalism is based. The emotions used to articulate oneself, no matter the language they speak, and no matter the audience they speak too, one and all can understand the pain and the love they feel when their emotions are painted into wind. Unmitigatedly, the presence of literary universalism present in Li’s work was analyzed by the theories of cultural representation, ethnic diversity, and universal sentimentality.
In summary, the story “1,000 Years of Good Prayers” by Yiyun Li, comprises of influential reader reception based off of the dichotomous point of view, how contemporary perception is impacted by point of view, reader interpretation based on the author’s context and intent, and finally, understanding universalism in the story and how it constructs perception. The first point had analyzed the shift of point of view from the objective narrator to the subjective sentiments of Mr. Shi, who held a positive perspective throughout the story. It was concluded that point of view could be considered in respect to reader reception, the author and reader reliance relationship, and the influence of personal context on the overall subjective narration of the story. The second point had explicated reader interpretation based on the author’s background in relation to reader reception. From the sources, it was decided that the interpretation from the reader is greatly affected by historical context, reader reception, and biased reader experience. Th third point presented the argument that understanding universalism in the story and how it constructs perception will enable the reader to truly comprehend the veritable composition of Li’s work. Finally, this point summarized the overall presence of literary universalism within Li’s work such as cultural representation, ethnic diversity, and universal sentimentality. Throughout the entire literary analysis of “1,000 Years of Good Prayers” it can be established that Li had accomplished not only intricate and skilled incorporation of influential narration and pint of view to her readers, but also the sentimental connection to her readers in regards to historical context and personal integration; she had even accomplished the greatest feat of the incorporation ethnic diversity and universalism in her story. Li had covered many faculties and a great expanse of inclusivity in her story that had not only connected with her readers but empowered them.
Works Cited
Allouche-Chemla, Marie Rose, and Yehudith Kahn. “Politics and the Critical Reception of Contemporary Israeli Literature in France.” Israel Affairs, vol. 24, no. 3, June 2018, pp. 519–541. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1080/13537121.2018.1455951.
Gupta, Suman. Contemporary Literature: The Basics. Routledge, 2012.
Li, Yiyun. “1,000 Years of Good Prayers.” Infobase, 20 Dec. 2005, Accessed 4 Nov. 2021.
Moser, Linda Trinh. “Multiculturalism and Globalization in Contemporary American Literature, 1970 to Present.” Contemporary Literature, 1970 ?Present, Facts On File, 2010. Bloom’s Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?
aid=102778&itemid=WE54&articleId=478811. Accessed 9 Nov. 2021.
Oh, Seiwoong. “Li, Yiyun.” Encyclopedia of Asian-American Literature, Second Edition, Facts On File, 2013. Bloom’s Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?
aid=102778&itemid=WE54&articleId=155932. Accessed 9 Nov. 2021.
Quinn, Edward. “Reception Theory.” A Dictionary of Literary and Thematic Terms, Second Edition, Facts On File, 2006. Bloom’s Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index? aid=102778&itemid=WE54&articleId=37148. Accessed 9 Nov. 2021.
