It should be noted that swordsmen novels do not reflect the reality of the life, but rather the fantasy world. They present a world that common people dream about and what ordinary people want in their hearts. In China, these novels may become the permanent fairy tales of the nation while the knighterrant complex has been integrated into the historical psychological accumulation of the nation as a special element of Wushu. Therefore, it is seen as a permanent retrospection in the history of the development of the internal spirit of the Chinese nation.
Chivalrous complex of the Chinese people
Chivalrous complex falls basically into the scope of folk culture. It is ordinar y people’s imaginary resistance against the prevailing order, and also longing for perfect heroic character. The so-called “where there is injustice, there will be an outcr y.” Social injustice is the root cause of the violations by force, and the historical root of the chivalrous complex of the Chinese people. As is described in the Water Margin, “The Buddhist monk’s staff cleared the dangerous road, and Buddhist monk’s knife removed all the injustice.” The chivalrous complex of the Chinese people also contains a persistent psychological prayer that is the longing for that tremendous personality power. Cultur al histor y research shows that in the histor ical development process of a nation, a kind of mass character that the nation lacks most usually becomes the lasting spiritual pursuit of quite a few individuals of the nation. In China, the most desired is a healthy and complete personality free from ser vility and obsequiousness.
New-style swordsmen novels
Louis Cha (Jin Yong, 1924–present) brings new vitality and perfection to Chinese swordsmen novels. Therefore, masculinity and gentleness become two new characteristics of Chinese literature works. It means Chinese swordsmen novels have entered a new era.
It seems to be a historical opportunity. In the 1950s, due to political reasons, swordsmen novels disappeared rapidly on the Chinese mainland. Meantime, some famous authors also disappeared from the literature world. However, it was at that time, Louis Cha became a success in Hong Kong, and made his way to the top among the other swordsmen authors.
Except Louis Cha, the authors who wrote swordsmen novels during the period also included Liang Yusheng, Gu Long (Xiong Yaohua), Dongfang Bai and Wolongsheng (Niu Heting) in Hong Kong and Taiwan. These authors and Xiao Yi, an overseas Chinese in the United States, made up a new author group, and their novels were called the “new-type swordsmen novels.”
The new-type swordsmen novels are recognized as fairy tales for both adults and children. On the basis of inheriting the artistic traditions of the existing excellent works, the new-type novels focus on bringing out the inner spirit of human beings and creating vivid characters with distinctive personalities. The characters created in these works usually have the emotions and desires of common people, but at the same time, each of them are endowed with some kind of superb Kungfu skill, which makes them seem god-like. Therefore, these novels tend to be fiction novels. The new-type novels also integrate characteristics of both fairy tales and myths. In this sense, the new-type novels lead a new path into the literature world.
The new-type swordsmen novels, in fact, are combinations of romantic novels and swordsmen novels. They formally talk about Wushu, but actually talk about emotions. Meanwhile, these novels are written by referring to the techniques used in Western literatures and films for expression. In these novels, emotions are highlighted, while Wushu is indulgently exaggerated upon.
Each author has a special artistic pursuit, so their works are of different styles. Among these authors, Louis Cha, Liang Yusheng and Gu Long are the most distinguished and influential. At least a hundred million people on the Chinese mainland have read the works of Louis Cha, and there are few Chinese who are unfamiliar with this man.
The charm of Louis Cha’s novels comes from the author’s understanding of life, his deep insight to history, well-arranged plots and unique writing style. His choice of words and plot are basic skills that ensure the high quality of work by any author. However, without a deep understanding of life and insight to history, the work lacks vigor of life and profound history.
The works of Louis Cha often surround a theme of conflict between personality and destiny. The characters in his books pursue two states of perfection: the perfection of Wushu and life. And nearly all of them attain a good understanding on life during the process of pursuing the perfection of Wushu. As a result, their splendid lives become more admirable under the foil of their excellent Kungfu. The novels of Louis Cha are also seen as historical records of the characters, which document how they grow up to be mature, how they exercise Kungfu and what they experience in their lives. Louis Cha is also known for creating tragic atmospheres, where his characters grow up and experience many difficulties. Many of these characters, such as Xiao Feng, Zhang Wuji, Hu Fei, Yang Guo, Chen Jialuo, Yuan Chengzhi and Di Yun, have lives with irreparable regret with unrealized aspirations. They often do not have the chance to put their excellent skills to use.
Heroes are born from tragedies. How many heroes have come forth through the history of war for the Chinese nation? Louis Cha understands the rules of history. He concentrates on the tragedies of history in his books and his characters shoulder the heavy loads of both history and their lives, which highlights their personalities.
But the use of emotion is what really draws the readers in, allowing them to resonate with the characters in the story.
