Ghosts and Mediums: Local Memories and Taiwanese History in Zhang Jiaxiang’s Novel Yeguanxunchang ผีและคนเห็นผี: ความทรงจำท้องถิ่นและประวัติศาสตร์ไต้หวัน ในนวนิยายเรื่องเยี่ยกวนสวินฉั่งของจังจยาเสียง

Abstract

This research paper discusses a study of ghost characters and medium characters in the novel Yeguanxunchang by Zhang Jiaxiang. The results found that these ghosts and mediums are used to construct and represent local memories and Taiwanese history. These ghosts can be categorized into three types: home-returning ghosts, female ghosts oppressed by patriarchy, and political victim ghosts. The stories of home-returning ghosts and political victim ghosts are narrated to highlight the impacts of state violence on family breakdown and to indicate the non-presence of the political victims killed by the state who are still waiting for justice. The stories of female ghosts are told to raise awareness about female oppression in Taiwanese society. The places that the mediums have visited are connected with local memories and Taiwanese history. In addition, the mediums are associated with Yeguan, a local god/ghost who is in between good and evil, and works as a protector of wandering ghosts, representing diversity in Taiwanese society. The journey of the mediums and the reconnaissance of Yeguan around the town express the author’s imagination and hope for Taiwan to be a society that embraces diversity and marginalized people.