In this convocation, Professor Manling Luo, a renowned scholar of Chinese supernatural narratives, will explore themes of Animality and Humanity through the lens of medieval Chinese "Records of the Strange." Drawing from her recent research, Professor Luo will discuss three stories of human-tiger transformations, shedding light on the boundaries between animality, humanity, and divine influence. These narratives depict protagonists who, transformed into tigers, engage in implicit acts of cannibalism, raising questions about the role of humanity within a divinely ordered cosmos. By examining the social identities and post-transformation reintegration of these weretigers, Professor Luo illuminates how medieval Chinese society envisioned the interaction between human agency and higher powers. This presentation will appeal to audiences interested in literature, history, and the supernatural, providing valuable insights into medieval Chinese thought. Content Advisory: This talk includes discussions of implicit cannibalism in folklore, which may be sensitive for some audiences.
More Event Details
Cost
0