Identity under the Mongol invasion: A comparison between Jin Yong and British and American novels｜AI writing experiment (1)

1. Jin Yong's "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" (1957) and "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" (1959)

Guo Jing is a key role in Jin Yong's "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" and "The Legend of the Condor Heroes". His unique background is closely related to diverse cultures and dynasties.

Guo Jing was born in the Southern Song Dynasty, but grew up in the Mongolian steppe. He worshiped Temujin's confidant Jebe as his teacher, and forged a deep friendship with the Temujin family who later became Genghis Khan. This growth experience gave him a deep understanding of Mongolian culture, and at the same time he was in a dilemma during the war between the Southern Song Dynasty and Mongolia. His loyalty to the Southern Song Dynasty and his affection for the Genghis Khan family made him have to strike a balance between maintaining his loyalty to the Southern Song Dynasty and reducing the damage of the war when facing the crisis of Mongolian invasion of the Southern Song Dynasty.

His adopted brother Yang Kang, although of Han blood, grew up as a golden man under the shelter of the sixth prince Wanyan Honglie of the Jin Dynasty under the name "Wanyan Kang". Later, he betrayed the Song Dynasty and united with the invaders of the Jin Dynasty. His act of betrayal underscores a central theme in Jin Yong's work: the "dilemma of grace and righteousness," the inherent contradiction between personal loyalty and national identity. When Guo Jing was dealing with the relationship with Yang Kang, he struggled with pain in his heart, and it was difficult for him to accept that someone close to him betrayed his own nation.

In the narrative, Guo Jing's ties to the Mongolian and Jin dynasties constitute his main challenge. While maintaining his loyalty to the Southern Song Dynasty, he also had to face conflicts with other cultures. This conflict reflects the complex relationships and tensions that cultural differences and political positions can cause.

The actions of Guo Jing and Yang Kang represent two very different national identities and personal allegiances. Although Guo Jing grew up in Mongolia, he has always remained loyal to the Southern Song Dynasty, cherishing friendship, brotherhood and national righteousness. In contrast, Yang Kang grew up in the Jin Dynasty, developed deep feelings for the Jin Dynasty, and agreed with the rule of the Jin Dynasty. He chose to betray his own nation and surrender to the Jin Dynasty, which reflected the drive of personal interests and desire for power. When faced with national and national crises, Yang Kang sought personal power and status, while Guo Jing stood on the side of the Southern Song Dynasty without hesitation and tried his best to protect the country and the nation.

The contrast between these two distinct concepts of national identity and loyalty in Jin Yong's works highlights the different choices that individuals may make when faced with the choice of nation, country and personal interests. The stories of Guo Jing and Yang Kang profoundly reveal the impact of national identity and loyalty concepts in individual lives, and how these concepts shape personal destiny and choices in a complex political and cultural context. In depicting the contrast between the two, Jin Yong's brushwork delves into the complex relationship between national identity, loyalty and personal choice, further deepening the reader's understanding of the work.

2. The Golden Horde by Peter Morewood (1993)

"Golden Horde " is a historical novel written by British writer Peter Morwood, published in 1993. Set in Russia during the Mongol invasion, this book follows Prince Ivan of Russia's difficult journey to find his identity and loyalty under Mongol rule. Ivan must choose between defending his homeland and people against the might of the Mongol Empire and adapting to new political realities.

The Golden Horde delves into the personal struggles and dilemmas Prince Ivan faced in a world ruled by the Mongol Empire. Like Guo Jing and Yang Kang in Jin Yong's novels, Prince Ivan's life is filled with complex relationships and loyalties that challenge his understanding of who he is.

As a Russian prince, Ivan was full of pride in his country and people from an early age. However, Ivan's world is turned upside down when the Mongol Empire invades Russia. He finds himself torn between being loyal to his people and adjusting to the new political realities under Mongol rule. This inner conflict was compounded by his respect and admiration for Mongolian culture after he witnessed the combat effectiveness and efficient management of the Mongolian army.

Ivan's journey takes him to the court of the Mongol ruler Batu Khan, where he is exposed to the complexities of Mongolian politics and culture. Just as Guo Jing made friends with Temujin and penetrated into Mongolian life, Ivan also established connections with key figures in the Mongolian court, which not only enriched his understanding of the empire, but also deepened his inner struggle. On the one hand, he felt the efficiency and strength of the Mongolian rulers, and he awed and admired their abilities and demeanor; on the other hand, he also understood that these were in direct conflict with his nation.

As he rose through the ranks of the court and earned the confidence of Batu Khan, Ivan faced the reality that his newfound power and influence might be used to serve the Mongol conquerors as well as further asserting his own nation Interests. But it seems difficult to achieve both at the same time, because the two groups to which he is loyal—the Russians and the Mongols—have obvious conflicts and antagonisms in their interests in the relationship between conquering and being conquered. The struggle and contradiction in Ivan's heart deepened because of this.

Throughout the novel, Ivan continually recalls the stark contrast between his Russian upbringing and the Mongolian world he now lives in. His encounters with people from various cultures, including his own, force Ivan to reassess his established notions of loyalty and identity. He must face the fact that his allegiance to Russia may not be as unwavering as he once believed, and that his own identity is far more complicated than simply being a Russian prince.

Ultimately, The Golden Horde delves into the complexities of national identity and personal allegiance, as Ivan struggles to make difficult decisions to protect his nation and his personal beliefs. Through the character of Prince Ivan, the novel explores the challenges and inner conflicts of living in a world of changing alliances and cultural differences, much like Jin Yong's Guo Jing and Yang Kang.

3. Neil Stephenson, Greg Bell, etc. "Mongolia Expedition to the West" (2010)

" The Mongoliad " is a novel co-authored by several writers, including Neal Stephenson, Greg Bear, etc. Set against the backdrop of the 13th-century Mongol invasion of Europe, the book also presents a rich cast of characters from different cultures and backgrounds, although it does not explore issues of national identity as in Jin Yong's novels.

In "Mongolian Expedition to the West", a group of knights from various European countries formed a secret organization called "Ordo Militum Vindicis Intactae" with the purpose of assassinating the Mongolian leader Ogedei to prevent the Mongolian Empire invades Europe. These knights came from a variety of backgrounds, including Christians, Muslims, and even some defectors from the Mongol Empire.

In this novel, the Mongol warrior Gansukh is a central figure sent to infiltrate the court of a rebellious Kievan Rus prince. In order to successfully complete the mission, Gansukh had to learn the customs and habits of the Rus culture. As he becomes more integrated into the local culture, Gansukh begins to question his own identity and his allegiance to the Mongol Empire. This inner conflict highlights the struggle between maintaining national identity and accepting another culture. The novel also explores the impact of the Mongol invasion on the Rus people, who are torn between sticking to their traditions and adapting to Mongol rule.

In Mongol Conquest to the West, Gan Sukh is a Mongol warrior who plays an important role in the story as he is assigned to protect Lian, a high-ranking noblewoman. Gan Sukh's loyalty is tested as he forms a bond with Lian in a hostile culture. His interactions with others and his personal upbringing highlight the character's struggles with issues of loyalty and national identity. Gan Suhe found himself in a dilemma. On the one hand, he had to fulfill his duties to the Mongol Empire, and on the other hand, he had a deep relationship with Lian. The story delves into the challenges he faces in reconciling conflicting loyalties and an evolving sense of identity.

The work "Mongolian Expedition to the West" presents a challenging and exploratory era background to readers. The struggle and growth experienced by the characters in the story when dealing with issues of national identity and loyalty are similar to the stories of Guo Jing and Yang Kang in Jin Yong's works. There are similarities. With its cross-cultural perspective and rich characterization, this work provides readers with a unique reading experience.

Summarize

From Eastern and Western literary works, we can see that there are many similarities in the different perspectives on the Mongol invasion and the way of dealing with identity. Whether it is Jin Yong in China, or Peter Morewood and Neil Stephenson in the UK and the United States, their works depict the struggle and growth of characters in the face of issues of national identity and loyalty. These characters' struggles between maintaining their national identity and accepting new cultures reflect the universal theme of how individuals deal with self-identity in the event of a major event such as the Mongol invasion.

Jin Yong's works are deeply influenced by traditional Chinese culture, emphasizing values such as loyalty, benevolence, and righteousness, and show the inner struggle and growth of the characters through rich characters and plots. His characters' identity and loyalty are closely related to their families, friends and family. Social relations are closely related. In contrast, Western authors start from a broader perspective. Their works pay more attention to the self-identity and self-realization of individuals under social and cultural pressure, and emphasize that when characters face conflicts between identity and loyalty, How to find a balance between individual freedom and choice and social and cultural pressure.