China and the West

Cavell, James. Tai-Pan : a novel of Hong Kong [ID D33471].
Sekundärliteratur
The novel begins following the British victory of the first Opium War and the seizure of Hong Kong. Although the island is largely uninhabited and the terrain unfriendly, it has a large natural harbour that both the British government and various trading companies believe will be useful for the import of merchandise to be traded on mainland China, a highly lucrative market.
Although the novel features many characters, it is Dirk Struan and Tyler Brock, former shipmates and the owners of two massive (fictional) trading companies who are the main focal points of the story. Their rocky and often abusive relationship as seamen initiated an intense amount of competitive tension. Throughout the novel, both men seek to destroy each other in matters of business and personal affairs. Struan is referred to throughout the novel as Tai-Pan, indicating his position as head of the largest of all the trading companies in Asia. Clavell translates Tai-Pan as "Supreme Leader," although as described in the Tai-Pan entry, "Big Shot" might be more accurate. Brock, owner of the second largest of the trading companies, constantly vies to destroy Struan's company and reputation in an attempt both to exact revenge on Struan and to become the new "Tai-Pan" of Chinese trade.

Gina Macdonald : The novel begins with problems experiences by Europeans in Canton and Macao and traces step-by-step the establishment of Hong Kong, the political twists and turns that threatenened its permanence, and the typhoon that destroyed its buildings but proved its value as a port. It also begins with the dreams and strategies of Dirk Struan, his love affair with a Chinese concubine, May-may, whom he secretly marries, and his conflict with the rival Brocks. The unexpected death of Dirk Struan and May-may amid the violence of a terrifying typhoon leaves the Noble House of Struan as vulnerable as the newly founded Hong Kong colony. Clavell's themes are as multifaceted as his book, but four dominate : 1. The determination, gamesmanship, and wit that are necessary to establish a colony that will endure ; 2. fascination with China ; 3. the threat of China ; 4) the importance of crossroads where alien cultures can meet and learn from each other to mutual benefit.
For Clavell, the founding of Hong Kong illustrates the genius, strength, and farsight-edness of the Englishman abroad, and, in particular, of the British sailor-merchant abroad. Contact with the West, argues Clavell, offers China Western technology through trade that increases wealth, better lives, and provides outlets for the potentially rebellious. Westerners and Easterners alike can escape some of the restrictions of their breeding in Hong Kong. Furthermore, contact with the West provides the Chinese with new models of law, justice, and human rights.
Struan/Clavell argues that the Portuguese priests want one's soul in exchange for kindness. To his disgust, Struan learns that the most pious religious leader in Hong Kong incestuously forced himself on his own dependent sister and that the most respectable community members lead secret lives of sin. May-may argues the wisdom of an open mind about religion, but notes that the Christian practice of burning heretics is far worse than the Chinese custom of offering the sea god a bar of silver bullion but only tossing over a prayer paper as a gesture.
Clavell contrasts nineteenth-century European ignorance about disease, their reliance on purging and leeching, and their distrust of washing and bathing with the ancient Chinese practice of medicine and the Chinese association of cleanliness with health.
Tai-Pan depicts British colonial, Hong Kong Chinese, and mainland Chinese family relationships, manners, mores, business strategies, and political maneuverings.
Struan' secret marriage to May-may, their death and their burial together unites the alternating movement between Chinese and European in a final amalgam that is Struan's dream for the future : a merging of the best of both cultures into a hybrid, the Eurasian.
Tai-Pan is a fictionalized history, dramatizing the founding of Hong Kong and bringing to life the men and women who created that citry. It is a historical romance, tracing the affairs of Hong Kong's founding fathers ; a dynasty story, of extended families gaining wealth and power through trade ; a sea adventure, with a night-time chase and private attack ; a medical story, about malaria and a cure that may be only legend ; and a spy story.