On the Strategies of Geographic Narrative of Rulin Waishi: Spatial Shifts, the Character Network and Dual Spaces

The geographic narrative as a prominent feature of Rulin Waishi (The Scholars), a renowned satirical novel, is manifested through a diverse array of geographic narrative units with frequent transitions. This manifestation is achieved through the narrative strategies of spatial shifts, the character network, and dual spaces adopted by WU Jingzi, the author of the novel. Specifically, the novel relies on the geographical mobility of the characters to set up the spatial shifts of the narrative. Moreover, it is complemented by the social network of the characters. This social network is characterized by the sentiment that all who smile upon meeting are old acquaintances, which helps create a closely connected narrative whole. Additionally, the novel integrates social space which is imbued with rich cultural connotations into the frequent shifts of geographical space. This spatial juxtaposition thus maps the author’s critical exploration of societal structures. The narrative strategy not only reinforces the thematic depth but also enriches the plot, thereby creating the unique narrative effect of one hundred years in one moment.