The Meaning of Floating Life—a Cultural Interpretation of the Suicide Phenomenon in a County in North China

Name: The Meaning of Floating Life—a Cultural Interpretation of the Suicide Phenomenon in a County in North China
Author: Wu Fei

浮生取义——对华北某县自杀现象的文化解读

by Wu Fei (吴飞)

Status: Completed
Length: 266k Words
Updated: 4y ago
Source: Fanqie

Request a translation

Stats

133Reads

9.3Score

20Chapters

4.6kReads · all time

Synopsis

This book is based on the author's 17 months of field research in North China. Through the investigation of the suicide phenomenon in rural China since the 1980s, it helps to understand the outlook on human nature and life in Chinese culture. The book is divided into four parts. The first part, "Introduction," starts from the suicide phenomenon in China in the past 20 years and points out that Western suicidology cannot explain the Chinese phenomenon due to the cultural concepts behind it. It also proposes a basic idea for understanding the Chinese phenomenon based on the two concepts of "living a life" and "being a human being". The second part, "Family Rites," understands the causes of suicide from the perspectives of family ethics and family politics, and points out that the failure of family politics is the main cause of suicide. The third part, "Human Suitability", understands the psychological motivations of suicide from an individual perspective, and mainly examines three local concepts of "anger", "shame" and "unthinkable". The fourth part, "The Law of the Country," further points out the significance of suicide that occurs in the family in the larger society and national politics, and how organizations at all levels in modern China prevent and intervene in suicide, and re-views the suicide issue in the context of the entire history of modern Chinese thought and society.

Reader comments

As a must-read for sociology, it has important reference significance for us to understand the "suicide" phenomenon in China. The tragic fate of various characters also made me think about the relationship between individuals, families and countries. In order to gain more power and moral capital, people often ignore the original intention of "fighting for power" (maintaining family harmony and family affection). The state must provide these people with some superstructure to alleviate their pain and make their lives "better", otherwise it will be derelict in its duty.
14 likes2y ago
This book resonated with me very much, especially the discussion on "living life" and "being a human being". As a newly married person, I am full of expectations for my future life and am also learning how to run a family. The views in the book made me understand that family harmony is not just material, but more importantly, mutual understanding and support. I also realized that I need to pay more attention to the people around me because everyone may encounter difficulties in "getting by". This book is not only an academic study, but also a profound insight into life. It is worth reading.
13 likes2y ago
I believe that the underlying logic of the current operation of Chinese society is still inseparable from the word "countryside". This book can help us understand the logic of family politics, the power struggle in the family, the improvement of self-personality, and the realization of self-worth. For those of us born in 2000, we need to understand the life background of our elders in childhood, youth and middle age, so as to better express our respect and love for them.
5 likes4mo ago
Suicide is for human dignity, a new perspective.
1 like4mo ago
Damn, that's such a thorough analysis. The examples inside are very vivid and rich.
2mo ago

In booklists 1

Books That Provide Exposure to Different Professional Knowledge

Not only reading novels, but also wanting to learn a lot about daily medicine, sleep life, agricultural planting, technological transformation, and literary creation are also the best choices for entertainment.

4.6MViews533Books1dUpdated