A Study of the Representation of Existential Predicaments in the Novel Hope and Life

Abstract

Survival dilemma generally refer to individuals facing hardships in life and feeling unable to escape from their current situation of adversity due to a lack of necessary abilities or resources. Hu Xuewen’s novel Hope and Life centres on the protagonist ‘Grandmother’, who has delivered over ten thousand babies, profoundly revealing the survival difficulties of the underprivileged from multiple perspectives. Drawing on Hu Xuewen’s work Hope and Life, this paper analyses the survival circumstances of minor characters as shaped by the times and fate, and explores the survival difficulties faced by the underprivileged in the novel. By examining the experiences of ‘Grandma’ Qiao Damei, this paper highlights the physical hardships faced by minor characters. Through the portrayal of characters such as Mao Gen, Ru Hua and Yang Yifan, it illustrates the psychological challenges they endure. By analysing the social and historical context within the text, it explores the environmental challenges faced by these characters. Finally, it delves into the indomitable spirit of the minor characters as they confront hardships from both external and internal sources, reflecting their resilience. The study of the depiction of survival struggles in Hope and Life can shed light on the survival challenges faced by people across different historical periods, identify the spiritual strength of the underprivileged, draw society’s attention to their plight, and propose solutions to their practical problems, thereby holding practical significance.