ABSTRACT
The ‘fairy tale’ in China, like a genie let out of a bottle, has been undergoing a metamorphosis for the past 100 years. This chapter argues that tonghua are manufactured as a means to achieve certain ends, namely a discourse with the West and the revitalization of China’s own tradition. It discusses this process reflects the syncretic and self-healing mechanism that is essential to the continuity of Chinese traditions, despite the impact of colonialism and imperialism. The chapter examines a tale’s vitality lies in its reflection of core beliefs and cultural values. The birth of the fairy tale in Europe constitutes an indispensable background for understanding its transformation in China. The metamorphosis of tonghua in China is not only of significance within the fairy-tale world, but also, more meaningfully, leads our attention to deeper cultural issues beyond fairy tale as a genre.
