WHY HEROES FAIL: NATIONAL IDENTITY IN JIN YONG'S MARTIAL ARTS NOVEL THE BOOK AND THE SWORD

Martial arts fiction presents a number of signs that define Chinese cultural separateness and reflect national identities communities around the world. In this paper, we select novel The Book Sword Jin Yong, most celebrated martial author, to analyze how wuxia conventions can be applied represent formation new emigrant identity under foreign rule influence abandoned Mainland China. Setting his novels in mythical past allows Yong freely discuss cultural, social political circumstances present contribute configuration identity. Examining comparative studies on fiction, note moral codes chivalrous swordsmen Western knights-errant do not differ significantly; moreover, these heroic images remain similar different cultures pertain universal mythic structure. We argue modified hero myth expressed work always represents particular nation, certain symbol through which nation perceives itself introduces others. Although is an imaginary construction does comprehensively reality, each member (a native or diasporic resident) recognizes values truths communicated storytelling. show analyzed stable concept individuals change their loyalties depending preferences, but regardless ethnical origin. conclude relates failure nationally aware elite establish self-governing within state order defend from politically dominant group.