Colonialism And Modernity

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Colonialism and Modernity

The book Song of Ariran by the American author Helen Foster Snow sheds light on the struggle of China and Korea against the colonialism and imperialism of the Japanese forces. The autobiographical story has been described from the perspective of a Korean communist who was living with a fake identity, in order to support the revolution. In ‘Return to Manchuria,' the author has shed light on the experiences of the Korean communist when he went to Manchuria, in order to work out the differences of the Chinese and Korean communist parties, for the sake of cooperation and unity against the Imperial Japanese forces. The book may have been the memoir of the struggle of the Chinese and Korean populations, however, it sheds light on colonialism ideology of the society at that time.

The author has quite effectively shed light on the strategic position of Manchuria, during the year 1930, when the Japanese forces had got the control of Manchuria and planned to extend it to other parts of Chinese and Korean regions. Manchuria was the part of China and had put other areas of the country at greater risk. The author has described the scenario in a detailed manner that the Japanese force in the region used to keep a close eye on the movement of the public, in order to culminate any kind of reformation planning parties and groups.so, the Korean communist disguised himself as a Chinese citizen, in order to ensure the collaboration with the Chinese communist party (Chang, San, and Wales, 116).

The evaluation of the text reveals that the author has explained the concepts of colonialism in an effective manner. She has shown that although it was the Japanese government and forces who wanted to control the areas of China and Korea, in order to get the benefit of their economic conditions, the actual benefiter was the Chinese upper-class population. They exploited the Korean labor and joined hands with the enemy forces, which became an important reason for their powerful status in society. The Koran population kept trying to win the favor of the Chinese communist party, so they could fight against the enemy collectively. However, the disappointing attitude of the upper-class Chinese society made the conditions difficult for Korea, which had to fight against colonialism on its own (Chang, San, and Wales, 118).

The text has been authored in a very impressive and touching manner., which helps the readers to get an idea of the difficult situations which were going on in that time period. The author has effectively highlighted the brutality and careless attitude of the enemy forces, which only thought about maximizing its benefits, instead of working for the progress and prosperity of humanity.

The book Song of Ariran by the American author is an impactful depiction of the colonial and imperial attempts of the Japanese forces to take the control, of Chinese and Korean regions, which had ultimately led to First World War. The memoirs shared in the book provide insight into the social and political conditions of the society at that time, as well as their impact on the lower class populations of the society. The text also shed lights on the reasons for not supporting colonialism.

Work Cited

Chang, Chi-rak, Kim San, and Nym Wales. Song of Ariran: a Korean Communist in the Chinese revolution. Ramparts Press, 1972.