ABSTRACT

Reflecting large amount of confrontation of sexes, races and politics, Hollywood movies have been presenting Chinese figures of a combination of ugly and marginalized groups, simply tools or devils, making Chinese figures in the movies a cultural symbol existing in name only rather than as a true self in culture. Since the 1990s, China has begun to play a much more significant role in the global cultural and political stage. Therefore, it is reasonable to analyze its comprehensive image change in Hollywood movies by setting the year 1990 as a turning point and by using the method of discourse analysis and from an intercultural perspective. This study uncovers different deeper causes and factors of the changes and it provides practical and viable solutions to enhancing more comprehensive and objective understanding of the East world, especially China.

Key words: Chinese images; Hollywood movies; the 1990s

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One INTRODUCTION.1

Chapter Two LITERATURE REVIEW.2

2.1 Foreign Studies3

2.2 Domestic Studies.4

2.3 Deficiency of Previous Studies.4

Chapter Three HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHINESE FIGURES IN HOLLYWOOD MOVIES PRIOR TO THE 1990s6

3.1 Prior to the 1930s: the Invader.6

3.2 The 1930s-1940s: The Docile Domestic.7

3.3 The 1950s-1970s: The Devil9

3.4 The 1980s-1990s: Diversified Figures10

Chapter Four Changes and Transformations of the Chinese Figures from the 1990s to the Present.11

4.1 Alleviating Relationship between China and the Western World11

4.1.1 The Land of the Escape12

4.1.2 Friendly Chinese Liberation Army.12

4.1.3 Diligent and Intelligent Chinese People.13

4.2 Reinterpretation of the Chinese Kung Fu13

4.2.1 Interpretation from the Perspective of Linguistics13

4.2.2 Cultural Trace.14

    4.3 Growing Agnosticism about Chinese Culture.14

4.3.1 Growing Mysterious Power of Ancient Chinese Culture14

4.3.2 The Philosophy from the Chinese Agnosticism.14

Chapter Five Causes FOR Transforming Chinese Images Since the 1990s16

5.1 Needs of the Box Office Profits16

5.2 Needs of Transmitting Ideology and Mainstream Values.17

5.3 Needs of Expressing Cultural and Political Purposes.17

Chapter Six Actions Chinese Government and Chinese People Should Take to Improve Images19

6.1 Support of the Government.19

6.2 Support of Movie Makers.19

6.3 Support of Chinese Citizens Abroad.20

Chapter Seven Conclusion21

REFERENCES23