Abstract
With the recent publication of Becoming Sui Sin Far (2016), the travel writing of Chinese North American writer Edith Eaton, which is quite unique in her oeuvre in terms of both genre and style, became available in complete form for the first time. In this article I explore the many strategies and devices Eaton invented for her travel writing and argue that ‘Wing Sing of Los Angeles on His Travels’ is of great significance in the criticism of Eaton’s writing as it manifests a progressive set of identity politics. Eaton dismantles the binary opposition between self and other by writing as another; that is, by taking on a persona that enables her to see through another’s eyes, and thus to neutralise the orientalist gaze and promote individuality over group stereotypes. The travel series sparkles in many places with perspectives and conceptions well ahead of its time, which demonstrates clearly that Eaton embraces an ideal of tolerance and openness.
Published Version
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