Introduction
Taoism and Confucianism have been imprinted in Chinese literature and have reached far beyond the world of the written word. We see a number of Chinese arts, such as architecture, sculpture, painting and music, which also display the teaching of Taoism and Confucianism. It is, however, more obvious with Chinese literature for in it we see the application of these philosophies in the Chinese people's everyday living.
Literature is life; such a cliche may not need further explanation. In studying one literary work representing a nation, one can easily understand that nation's way of living, the people's beliefs, and the people's philosophy.
In the movie, "The Road Home," one sees the film as an honest representation of a Chinese's way of life. Indeed, watching the film with an eye for the Taoists and Confucians thought, one could understand the film much better and deeper. This paper aims to look at the film's characters in their portrayal of the Taoist and Confucian beliefs.
The Taoist Philosophy underneath "The Road Home"
The title of the film itself has an obvious foundation for the Taoist Philosophy. Tao means "way" or "road," and so The Road Home is an obvious and direct application of the Taoist philosophy. Though the original story came from the novel of Bao Shin, Remembrance, it does not have the same focus or even theme that it reflects.
Even in the beginning of the movie, the road has been the first and foremost image to be introduced. It does not only show how long the journey from the city to the village but it also symbolizes the long and winding road to the hearts of the characters' parents. The narrator seems to be "far away" from his parents. He seems so unfamiliar with them. The road has done well in symbolizing this gap. With the road and the narrator, an implication of the Taoist thought may be derived. The Taoist believes that human beings are an integral part of the universe; they only become dark when they have forced themselves to do something and become competitive. The narrator is a good example of this self-assertion. He is from the city, and therefore has imbibed in himself the competitive nature of the city life. Unlike his father before him who has settled in a remote village to be a teacher for the poor, he has obviously embraced the city life. At least in the end, as a consolation, he has taught the pupils of the village for a day before going back to the city. He wants somehow to feel what his father has felt in standing in front of the students. The school building then would be replaced by a new one. Most probably, his being there in the end teaching the pupils is a foreshadowing of his life-long commitment in continuing the legacy of his father.
The Confucianism underneath "The Road Home"
There seems to be more Confucian thought obvious in the film than the Taoists.
One of the basic teachings of Confucianism is reform in the government. In the movie, the teacher has been called from the village to the city to answer some political inquiry. Some critics have interpreted these calls as part of the troubles of the government during the era of the Anti-Rightist Campaign. Whatever that is, the fact that reforms in the government are being done is obviously from Confucianism.
Another obvious Confucian teachings in the movie are the lessons of the teacher, the father of the narrator. These are respect for the elders and the authority, studying well, and call for close family bonds. The respect for elders has been obviously seen in the movie, and also in any other Asian film. Not only that the elders in the film were respected, this teaching has been repeated again and again in the movie. The westerns are the only people who have probably less respect for the elders, but that is beyond the point.
Authority should also be respected; that is why Luo, the teacher, has gone to the city and also accepted the punishment for leaving the city when Zhao Di got sick. He could have run away from the orders of the government and live with his beloved but he waited for the right time, and followed the orders of his superiors.
Education has been probably the main focus of the Confucian thought. The film's protagonist is an uneducated young woman, yet, the other is a highly respected and educated young man. Even in the film, the young woman's illiteracy has been addressed as something ugly. However, since the love of the woman surpasses any known philosophy or theory, love becomes the victor. Although, education still is the most important thing in the film. Obviously, from the story of the narrator's parents we see the symbols for these: the school, the teachings of the young man, the teacher himself, the rehabilitation of the school and the teaching session of the narrator in the school. Though the female protagonist is uneducated, the fact that her object of love is a teacher should not be overlooked. This can be interpreted as her desire to have someone educated to be her partner to fill her shortcomings; although, that interpretation may like somehow forcing the issue.
Some other obvious Confucian teachings present in the film are faithfulness, loyalty, and courage. Zhao Di's courage to fight for her love no matter what is very admirable. She was also very faithful and loyal. She waited for her beloved until she got sick. In the end, she got her reward, her beloved came to her. She is luckier compared to other people who have been longing for their love ones to reciprocate the love they are giving but failed. Well, it may be just the same with reciprocity, another Confucian teaching. Love begets love, as the cliche goes, but it is true for the Confucians.
Somehow though, one cannot help to think that she is luckier still compared to other Chinese. She has been lucky not to be condemned by society by getting married by someone she loves, or probably just by showing her affection to Lou. It should be bear in mind that Chinese ladies cannot choose their husbands. Their parents usually arranged their marriage with someone whom they have never seen before. So, in the movie, falling in love is something new. That's the reason why their love story became famous. Still the same, she is lucky not to have been condemned by society.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the movie has successfully shown the way of life of the Chinese. In one way or another, the Taoist and Confucian thought has been imbibed in the film. The symbol of the road has also been present all throughout the film; it is a great symbol for Confucianism and Taoism. Though it may be difficult for others to see the symbolism of the road without any background knowledge of the two Chinese philosophies, the movie itself may give away the meaning of the road. Wholly, the film is a great work of art worthy to have won numerous awards.
Mark Anthony G. Moyano Instructor
Central Luzon State University
Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija
Philippines
Ph. D. in Literature (in progress)
Philippine Normal University
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