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According to the observation, Moment in Peking and The Forsyte Saga are two masterpieces which represent the Chinese and Western family cultures, and possess historical and realistic significances as well. It is worthy and practical to study on the contrastive analysis of the two magnificent works. After the analyses and discussion on the two works from Chinese and Western philosophical views, it is mentioned that they are different in some aspects due to the different culture, but similar in the common sense of family. Whether in a Chinese family or a Western family, people do value their families indeed.
2 Spiritual Themes of the Two Novels
Every saga novel should have its unique spiritual theme which is throughout the whole story. A spiritual theme can perfectly represent a novel itself.
Moment in Peking and The Forsyte Saga possess their own spiritual themes---Taoism and Forsytism. Lin Yutang used three quotations of Zhuangzi to lead in the three parts of Moment in Peking. And Mulan’s father Yao Sze-an, who is her life tutor, is a scholar of Taoism. His thoughts and epiphany on Taoism have a great influence on other people in the story. Likewise, John Galsworthy even created a doctrine---Forsytism to give a remarkable interpretation of the Forsyte family. And the man of property, Soames is such a typical character to show readers what is Forstytism vividly.
2.1 Taoism in Moment in Peking
Lin Yutang’s daughter, Lin Rusi mentioned that the whole novel was influenced by Zhuangzi. As is known to all that Lin Yutang used three quotations of Zhuangzi as the opening of each part which could prove the important role of Taoism in this novel. More interestingly, she gave such an evaluation that Zhuangzi is the God and he assigned three topics for Lin to solve, which he had successfully created the best possible meanings and show them to the people (Lin, 2009: 3).
In Chinese culture, Taoism refers to a variety of related philosophical and religious traditions and concepts. These traditions have influenced East Asia for over two thousand years and some even have spread internationally. The Chinese character Tao literally means "path" or "way". Actually, in Chinese religion and philosophy, it aims on more abstract meanings. Compassion, moderation, and humility are the Taoist propriety and ethics, namely the Three Jewels of the Tao. Taoism is all about putting focus on Wu Wei (non-action), spontaneity, transformation and omnipotence. Meanwhile, there is an emphasis placed on the link and relation between people and nature, and thus this link lessens the need for rules and order, leading one inpidual to a better understanding of the world and one's surroundings. In addition, nature and ancestor spirits are also common in Taoism.
According to Lin Yutang himself, his understanding of Zhuangzi is mystic and humorist. “Taoism is not a school of thought in China; it is a deep, fundamental trait of Chinese thinking, and of the Chinese attitude toward life and toward society. It has depth, while Confucianism has only a practical sense of proportions; it enriches Chinese poetry and imagination in an immeasurable manner, and it gives a philosophic sanction to whatever is in the idle, freedom-loving, poetic, vagabond Chinese soul.” Lin said (Net.1). He wrote Moment in Peking to develop our Chinese culture into Western world with his own preference doctrine---Taoism.
In the first place, some experts assume that the elegant atmosphere and free inspiration is the natural express of Lin’s value of life and the affectionate way of speaking his deep thoughts (Yang, 2012). When readers have the honor to read this story, they taste calm and peaceful due to the overall strong Taoism atmosphere built by Lin. While the worship of Taoist is the harmony between people and nature, the story is also momentum magnificent whose plots are full of ups and downs. Indeed, Mulan loves Lifu and Lifu also appreciates Mulan’s grace and talents. However, Mulan decides to marry Sunya and Lifu get married with Mochow. Afterwards, they start a big harmonious family from their own little one. It seems so contented and comfortable about the complicated emotions of those characters. In a word, Lin Yutang proceeded with his air-like natural and smooth writing to tell the story.