introduction

Dai Sijie's "Balzac and the Chinese Little Tailor" is a "Chinese context" novel set in Sichuan in the 1970s. Through the theory of gaze, it explores the multidimensional construction of rural China, the female protagonist's anti gaze, and the author's gaze on their homeland. As a visual critical concept, gaze involves issues of power, desire, subjectivity, culture, ideology, gender, race, and interpretation. The study conducts an in-depth analysis of the text from three perspectives: collective gaze towards individuals, male gaze towards women, and anti gaze and subjectivity construction.

1、 Collective gaze towards individuals

Through Foucault's panoramic open view theory, this paper analyzes the collective gaze on individuals and the power operation behind it in Balzac and the Chinese Little Tailor. The backward environment and closed information of Tianfeng Mountain have not exempted it from the influence of modern society's power. The educated youth Ma Jianling and Aro have become the objects of collective gaze for the villagers, and their words and deeds are strictly scrutinized, reflecting the disciplinary role of power. The villagers' rejection of the Western musical instrument violin and their vigilance towards the performance of Ma Jianling, as well as Arrow's attempt to "Sinicize" the music to resolve tension, demonstrate the individual's accommodating behavior under collective gaze. As a special female figure, the little tailor's attire and interactions with Ma Jianling have also become the focus of attention for the villagers, and her every move is closely monitored. Ma Jianling felt uneasy due to the villagers' ridicule and malicious speculation, and being stared at for a long time had formed a habit of self gaze, worrying that his actions would bring punishment. This chapter reveals the profound impact of collective gaze on individuals, as well as their behavioral adjustments under the discipline of power.

2、 Men's gaze towards women

Through Laura Mulvey's gaze theory, this paper analyzes the male gaze towards women and the gender power relations behind it in "Balzac and the Chinese Little Tailor". The article reveals the process of men obtaining pleasure and desire satisfaction by watching women through the gaze of educated youth Aro and Ma Jianling towards the young tailor. Arrow's transformation of the small tailor is not only a shaping of female image, but also a manipulation of female will. The tailor undergoes transformation under the gaze of his lover, reflecting the flexible control in social gender theory. At the same time, the forced control of the old tailor over his daughter reflects the power of family discourse under patriarchy. The author deconstructs the image of male educated youth from a critical perspective, pointing out that although Arrow's transformation provided the power of liberation for young tailors, it was not driven by the true intention of enlightenment.

3、 Anti gaze and the Construction of Subjective Consciousness

Deeply explored the panoramic prison consciousness formed by women under social norms, and how this consciousness leads to self-monitoring and self repression. Through the unexpected pregnancy of a young tailor, it reveals the constraints of social morality and patriarchal gaze on women's behavior and thoughts, as well as the mental and physical torment that women endure under such pressure. After experiencing the pain of abortion, the young tailor gradually awakened the female subject consciousness and began to realize the narrowness of the established situation and the shackles that women suffered. She yearns to escape from the enclosed geographical space and pursue a free spiritual world. The little tailor's anti gaze actions, such as sewing clothes, issuing certificates of long-distance travel, and daring to resist her father, all reflect her desire for freedom and recognition of self-worth.

conclusion

The novel explores individual growth and women's living conditions in a specific historical context through the main theme of "educated youth transforming small tailors". The awakening and departure of the ignorant village girl symbolize a breakthrough in the shackles of gaze and the beginning of a new life. Dai Sijie ends with a blank space, implying the birth of a new urban woman and leaving endless imagination for the future of the little tailor.