According to the second Farr extract (p.50-59), how did Hergé research China for The Blue Lotus?
Farr (1991) discusses Herges’ Blue Lotus (1936) and how Herge researched the topic. Previously
Herge had used stereotypes of other cultures when incorporating them into a Tintin
adventure. A reader by the name of Father Gosset, a chaplain to Chinese students
at a university, requested Herge to avoid his usual representation of other
cultures. Intrigued Herge agreed and was later introduced to art student Chang
Chong-Chen (Farr, 1991). Herge and Chang became fast friends and Chang was able
to share his knowledge with Herge. Herge developed an appreciation for Chinese
art and literature and sought to discover more. As a token of gratitude Herge
wrote Chang in to the Tintin adventure as a guide and a friend.
Another form of
research was the study of photographs of what Herge described as the real China
(Farr, 1991). Herge used them as reference to fashion, backdrops, architecture
and regular activity. For example he took a real picture of a Chinese advertisement
for cigarettes and placed it in the background of a scene with Tintin and snowy
passing by.
Herge also used current political events (Farr, 1991). With
the help of Chang, Herge was informed about the political tensions between
China and Japan. Herge uses actual events such as Mokuden railway accident and
changes the setting to shanghai to show the manipulation tendencies of the
Japanese culture by blaming the accident on the Chinese.
Written in 1936 the blue lotus incorporated many political issues
around this time such as existing propaganda, in regards to the depiction of
the Japanese, as well as politics surrounding the drug Opium, which an opium
den is shown in the Blue Lotus. However through researched Herge was able to create
a genuine portrayal of China and its people despite not visiting the country prior
to starting this adventure and find a lifelong friend in Chang Chong-Chen.
Hi Ema,
ReplyDeleteI didn't study history at school so your post is similar to my reaction to the text and the relevant readings. I also found it interesting that Herge researched his subjects so thoroughly. As an adult reader I was able to learn from Herge's Blue Lotus, particularly the political history of China.
Thanks Ema, this is a good post. Your examples from the primary text are excellent. Keep an eye on your clarity (sentence structure in particular). Also remember to proof read before you post - you mistakenly referred to the Mukden incident as the Mokuden Accident. But a good post.
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