【鄧小樺｜孤獨的勇氣，死人化粧師的愛情故事： #西西〈#像我這樣的一個女子〉｜已讀不回 S3 #2】

虛詞無形

19 Apr 202311:56

Summary

TLDRThe video script delves into Hong Kong writer Xi Xi's novella 'A Girl Like Me,' a poignant exploration of love, fear, and societal expectations. The story centers on a female mortician who grapples with the fear of rejection due to her profession, a theme that resonates with feelings of isolation and the courage to embrace one's identity. Xi Xi's work, celebrated for its unique perspective and depth, invites readers to challenge conventional norms and appreciate the complexity of human experiences. The script also touches on Xi Xi's legacy, her resilience in the face of adversity, and her enduring impact on literature and art.

Takeaways

📚 The script introduces a novel by the renowned Hong Kong writer, Xi Xi, titled 'A Woman Like Me', as an excellent entry point for readers new to her works.
💡 The novel features a unique protagonist, a female mortician, which is a profession that provokes intrigue and reflection on societal perceptions.
💔 The story revolves around the protagonist's internal struggle and anxiety as she waits in a café to reveal her profession to her lover, Xia.
👥 The narrative explores themes of love, courage, and the fear of rejection due to one's profession, which can lead to isolation.
🏆 'A Woman Like Me' is recognized for its distinctive character and setting, earning Xi Xi the United Daily News 8th Novel Award for Recommended Short Stories.
📖 Xi Xi's writing often employs a childlike perspective to view the world, which has endeared her to many readers and defined Hong Kong's literary landscape.
🎭 The script highlights the protagonist's bravery in choosing a profession that is typically met with fear and avoidance, reflecting broader societal attitudes.
✍️ Despite facing physical challenges, such as being unable to write with her right hand due to breast cancer, Xi Xi continued to create, even writing with her left hand and making toys.
🌟 The script suggests that Xi Xi's work encourages readers to consider the courage it takes to embrace one's choices, even in the face of adversity.
🌈 The novel concludes with a message of hope and resilience, urging readers to maintain their spirit and courage, embodying the values Xi Xi championed throughout her life and work.

Q & A

Who is the author mentioned in the transcript, and why is she significant?
-The author mentioned is Xi Xi, a Hong Kong writer whose work has had a profound impact on Hong Kong and Taiwanese literature. She passed away in December 2022, prompting widespread mourning in both regions.
What is the primary novel discussed in the transcript, and why is it considered a good introduction to Xi Xi's work?
-The novel discussed is 'A Woman Like Me' (《像我這樣的一個女子》). It is considered a good entry point into Xi Xi's literary world because of its accessible yet deeply emotional exploration of loneliness, love, and courage.
What is the profession of the protagonist in 'A Woman Like Me', and why is it significant?
-The protagonist is a mortuary cosmetologist, which is significant as it evokes societal discomfort and isolation. Her profession plays a crucial role in her personal struggle for acceptance, both in her relationships and within society.
How does the protagonist’s job affect her personal relationships?
-The protagonist's honesty about her profession causes her friends to abandon her, leading to deep loneliness. This fear of rejection also affects her relationship with her love interest, Xia, as she worries he will not accept her work.
How does the protagonist’s relationship with her aunt influence her career and personal life?
-The protagonist’s aunt, Yifen, taught her the skill of mortuary cosmetology, which allowed her to be financially independent. However, the aunt’s own life of isolation due to her profession creates a sense of foreboding in the protagonist’s personal relationships.
What broader themes does the novel 'A Woman Like Me' explore beyond the protagonist’s profession?
-The novel explores themes of loneliness, societal rejection, and the sacrifices one makes for independence. It also delves into love and courage, particularly the inner conflict between fear of rejection and the desire to be accepted for who one truly is.
How does the novel's time setting reflect the struggles faced by the protagonist as a woman?
-Set in the early 1980s, the novel reflects the societal pressures faced by women to choose between being strong, independent professionals and being submissive in romantic relationships. The protagonist’s struggle mirrors the broader feminist issues of that era.
How does the protagonist’s internal monologue contribute to the narrative?
-The protagonist’s internal monologue is filled with anxiety, self-doubt, and emotional turmoil, offering deep insight into her fear of rejection and her struggle to find the courage to reveal her true self to Xia. This internal conflict drives much of the novel's tension.
What message does Xi Xi convey about courage through the novel?
-Xi Xi suggests that true courage is not just in the grand acts but also in the willingness to reveal one’s vulnerabilities. The protagonist’s decision to let Xia know about her profession, despite the risk of rejection, reflects her quiet bravery.
How does the novel 'A Woman Like Me' relate to Xi Xi’s broader body of work?
-Like much of Xi Xi’s work, 'A Woman Like Me' combines personal introspection with broader social commentary. It reflects her recurring themes of isolation, resilience, and the human desire for connection, often portraying complex, independent female characters.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Xi Xi's Literary World

The script introduces a gateway into the literary world of Xi Xi through the novel 'A Girl Like Me', recommended as an excellent starting point for those unfamiliar with her works. The story revolves around a female narrator who is a mortician and her encounter with a young man named Xia at a friend's gathering. The narrator's internal struggle with revealing her profession to Xia is highlighted, reflecting themes of love, fear, and loneliness. The novel is noted for its unique profession of a 'dead body makeup artist', which is both intriguing and thought-provoking. It touches upon the societal pressures faced by women in the 1980s regarding career and love, and the potential isolation that comes with making independent choices.

05:01

💔 Love and Courage in 'A Girl Like Me'

This section delves into the themes of love and courage as portrayed in the novel 'A Girl Like Me'. It discusses the protagonist's bravery in choosing a profession that is typically met with fear and rejection, and her subsequent anxiety about Xia's acceptance of her work. The narrative explores the interplay between the rush of love and the instinctual fight-or-flight response, questioning whether love can bolster or diminish courage. The story also invites readers to consider the protagonist's internal conflict from various perspectives, suggesting a potential shift from a pessimistic view towards a more empathetic and self-reflective stance. The summary concludes with a reflection on the novel's enduring relevance and Xi Xi's broader themes of independence and resilience.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Xixi

Xixi, also known as Xi Xi, is a renowned Hong Kong writer mentioned in the script as a significant figure in literature. The script discusses her work and the impact of her passing, indicating her importance in the literary world. Xixi's writing often explores themes of identity, loneliness, and the human condition, as exemplified in her novel 'A Girl Like Me'.

💡A Girl Like Me

'A Girl Like Me' is a novel by Xixi that serves as an entry point for readers new to her work, as highlighted in the script. It tells the story of a female mortician who grapples with societal perceptions of her profession and the challenges it poses to her personal life, particularly in her relationship with a man named Xia.

💡Mortician

A mortician is a professional who prepares the deceased for burial or cremation, a profession that is central to the narrative of 'A Girl Like Me'. The script uses the mortician's role to explore themes of societal stigma, personal identity, and the courage it takes to embrace a profession that is often met with fear and misunderstanding.

💡Isolation

Isolation is a recurring theme in the script, particularly in relation to the protagonist's profession as a mortician. It is discussed in the context of how societal reactions to her work lead to loneliness and a sense of being misunderstood, which is a significant aspect of the character's internal struggle.

💡Love and Courage

The script explores the complex relationship between love and courage, suggesting that love can both inspire bravery and incite fear. The protagonist's love for Xia and her fear of losing him due to her profession exemplify this dynamic, as she contemplates whether to reveal her true occupation to him.

💡Inner Struggle

Inner struggle is a key concept in the script, reflecting the protagonist's mental and emotional turmoil as she waits to meet Xia and disclose her profession. This struggle is a manifestation of her fear of rejection and her desire for acceptance, which is a central conflict in the narrative.

💡Yifen

Yifen, the protagonist's mentor and relative, is mentioned as a character who also faced isolation due to her profession. Yifen's story serves as a cautionary tale for the protagonist, illustrating the potential consequences of societal rejection and the importance of personal strength in the face of adversity.

💡Fear of Rejection

Fear of rejection is a significant theme in the script, especially in the context of the protagonist's relationship with Xia. It is tied to her anxiety about revealing her profession and the possibility that he might not accept her, leading to a profound sense of vulnerability and dread.

💡Self-Acceptance

Self-acceptance is a theme that emerges in the script as the protagonist considers the possibility of not testing Xia's acceptance of her profession. It reflects a deeper realization and a form of growth where she contemplates accepting herself and her choices, regardless of others' opinions.

💡Courage in the Face of Adversity

Courage in the face of adversity is a central message of the script, particularly in how Xixi's work and life are discussed. Despite facing personal challenges, including illness, Xixi continued to create, demonstrating a resilience and bravery that the script encourages viewers to emulate.

💡Literary Legacy

The script discusses Xixi's literary legacy, including her influential works such as 'My City' and 'Flying Carpet'. Her legacy is characterized by a unique perspective and a childlike view of the world, which has resonated with readers and defined her place in literature.

Highlights

Introduction to a great entry-level novel to enter Xi Xi's literary world: 'A Girl Like Me'.

The narrator's introspection on love and the fear of being alone.

Synopsis of the novel 'A Girl Like Me', where the protagonist is a mortician.

The protagonist's relationship with her boyfriend Xia, who is unaware of her true profession.

The protagonist's anxiety while waiting for Xia in a café, fearing his reaction to her job.

The unique profession of 'dead body makeup artist' and its impact on the protagonist's social life.

The protagonist's self-reliance and independence through her profession.

The protagonist's loneliness due to her profession and the societal stigma attached to it.

The influence of the protagonist's mentor, Yifeng, and her tragic love story.

The theme of love and courage in the face of societal expectations and personal fears.

The protagonist's bravery in revealing her profession to Xia and the implications of this act.

The psychological and physiological effects of love on human behavior.

The novel's exploration of the protagonist's internal struggle and her eventual realization.

The protagonist's growth and change in perspective towards the end of the novel.

Xi Xi's writing style and her unique perspective on the world, which has endeared her to many readers.

Xi Xi's resilience and creativity in the face of personal challenges, including writing with her left hand after battling cancer.

The lasting impact of Xi Xi's work and her courage to transcend life's limitations.

The final message from Xi Xi's last work, encouraging readers to face life's challenges with courage.