Chinese Journal of Literary Criticism

No.2, 2020

Indirect Narration, Legend, Unreliable Narration and Autobiographical Text: Four “Calling Structures” in Life Is Like Ocean

(Abstract)

Chen Si

The novel Life Is Like Ocean, published by Mai Jia after eight years, tells the story of the hero’s return, showing different characteristics in terms of plot, characters and narration. There are four “calling structures” implicit in the novel: indirect narration-the disappearance of suspense elements; legend-the dialectics of strength and weakness of the tragic hero; unreliable narrative-polyphony and human heart; autobiographical text-brand and proper name.