Power and Fragility in Eileen Chang’s “Lust, Caution”: (Re) Writing, Translation, and Performance

This article aims to examine the interplay between “power” and “fragility” through the various translations and the creation of meaning through their multiple interactions. Firstly, the power dynamics will be compared across different versions of the story. Subsequently, the ethical dimension of these relationships will be explored through Slavoj Žižek’s theoretical frameworks on “symbolic identification” and “imaginary identification,” as well as the relationship between “semblance power” and “actual power.” This study will involve a comparison of the Chinese original, the “newly” discovered English text by Chang, the English translation of the original, and Ang Lee’s cinematic adaptation. It offers a fresh examination of a subject that sparked controversy in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China. By examining power relations through translation, (re)writing, and adaptation, broader questions are explored regarding multilingualism, cultural adaptation, and meaning-making in evolving contexts.