In his 2006 film, Still Life, Jia Zhangke creates an enigmatic case study of alienation and displacement. Through the use of space, both literal and figurative, and long, extended takes that expand the perception of time Zhangke tells the story of a people who are victims of their own environment. What is perhaps most striking of the film, beyond even the existential and political undertones, is the division drawn between the cold and demonstrative attitude the government adopts towards its citizens
but that is only a vehicle used to stimulate enlightenment through love. In the novel, Zhen Shiyin and Jia Zheng both become enlightened through their deep-rooted love for their children. However, characters such as Adamantina and Jia Jing illustrate contrasts to them. Neither of these characters attempt to achieve enlightenment through love, but instead study Buddhist and Daoist scriptures. Jia Jing's death is an ineffective message since his character is for the most part outside of the novel's
ꀀ ꀀine a world of unequal social status. Envision a world where customs are different, whether that is through family or political standpoints. In America, in today’s day and age, every human being despite their gender is supposed to be seen as equal. In our modern world, gender equality is beginning to prevail, and men and women are looked at on the same level. However, there are still flaws in our society. Some of these flaws are exemplified through Cao Xuequin’s novel The Story of the Stone: