'Huanle Yingsyong,' literally meaning the 'Happy Heroes,' had four
major characters, Guo Dalu, Wang Dong, Yian Ci and Lin Taiping. Although they had
different backgrounds they were all free spirits. The similarity of temperament linked
them together and inspired their precious friendship. They spent good times and bad times
together, and if one suffered he could always get consolation. Instead of assets, power,
or sex pleasure their goal was to be free from the desire for fame and wealth. The
theme of this book is unique. It shows the author Gu Long's ambition to create a story
which was different from traditional wusia novels. The hero in this book is different from
the stock knight-errant protagonist, who led an isolated life and usually suffered because
of his self-centered, rebellious and upright personality, such as Guo Jing the nationalist
Confucianist in Shediao Yinsyong Jhuan by Jin Yong. The personality of the stock
knight-errant has no room in this story, because it focuses on self-contented happy
heroes. The main characters share their emotions and feelings with one another and never
bother to know each other's past although each of them has an unhappy and even a miserable
story. Friendship is the panacea in this story as it smoothes everyone's pain.
Love between man and woman is not absent in this story,
although friendship is highly praised. Lin Taiping and his girl friend Yu Linglong are
finally able to get together; Guo Dalu and Yan Ci are the other pair. Yan Ci is disguised
as a man and acts as Guo Dalu's good friend when she comes on the scene. The development
of the love affair between the couple Guo Dalu and Yan Ci who finally got married is
entertaining. Gu Long obviously changes his viewpoint from negative to positive in writing
about women.
The mood of this story is light. It is actually a
combination of episodes taking place involving each hero. Although it is not tightly
written, readers could still sense the deliberately created amusing atmosphere and agree
with the easygoing personality of the four main characters Guo Dalu, Yan Ci, Wang Dong,
and Lin Taiping.
The story line looks on the bright side of life instead of
describing brutal conflicts. In the preface Gu Long wrote, "In this book I have made
a new try, because it is the time for wusia novels to change. ...... wusia novelists
should write more about the positive side of human nature rather than the negative side;
write more about humanity rather than blood." Although the preface emphasis the
ethical values Gu Long does not strictly preach it in this book. The tradition of the
tragic hero who bore irresolvable responsibilities such as avenging his family or to
salvaging the martial arts circle was not adopted to carry Gu Long's message. Instead,
humanity easily expresses itself in the Bohemian heroes of this book. They are not only
excellent martial arts masters, but also our next-door neighbors who laugh, cry, angry or
happy. Their images could hardly be found in ordinary wusia novels, which usually produce
cool and revenge-oriented protagonists. In addition black humor in this unique book also
entertains readers. |
