Globalization Versus Nationalism: Shaw's Trip to Shanghai

Abstract

Shaw's trip to China in 1933 is as much a paradox as Shaw's character. On the one hand, ideologically, the Chinese tried to incorporate Shaw into their construction of nationalism and globalism. The playwright became part of the rhetoric specifically to protest against Japanese aggression and, in general, part of the discourse to counter imperialism. These are shown in the welcome the Chinese gave to Shaw. In this case, nationalism and globalization worked for each other. On the other hand, Shaw's actual arrival showed that everyday life might be quite different from expectations based on ideological constructions. The Chinese could not fit what the real Shaw did and said into their rhetoric of nationalism and globalism; the playwright eluded or defied construction. Consequently, to safeguard their cultural integrity, the Chinese reacted against Shaw. Nationalism and globalization began to work against each other. I shall pay special attention to the preparation for and report on Shaw's visit by the Shanghai newspaper, the Chinese Shenbao. The quotations marked with an asterisk* are my translations, and many probably have never before been translated into English.