Exploring the Tragic Transformation from "The Orphan of Zhao" to "The Chinese Orphan"

Abstract

"The Chinese Orphan" and "The Orphan of Zhao" are two works that differ significantly in their settings, characters, narratives, and themes. Voltaire's "The Chinese Orphan" can be seen as a representative work of Western culture's reinterpretation of Chinese tragedy. As Fan Qiu Xia quotes from Mr. Fan Xi Heng: "To this day, it represents the greatest glory of Chinese literature internationally, if not the only one." Influenced by the Yuan Zaju play "The Orphan of Zhao," Voltaire dramatically altered the theme of revenge into a narrative celebrating freedom, kindness, and justice, emphasizing the power of moral influence. His ultimate aim was moral edification and enlightenment of the French public, with cultural transition being driven internally by Enlightenment thought. This paper investigates the tragic characters, nature, emotions, conflicts, and values from Ji Jun Xiang's "The Orphan of Zhao" to Voltaire's "The Chinese Orphan," analyzing the creators' thought processes and intentions behind these changes.