A Thirst For Knowledge

Dictionary

This semester we have read and studied many travel novels with similar themes and ideas. Each novel had different characters and journeys but still maintained a more or less traditional form. Therefore when I began to read A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers by Xiaolu Guo, I was pleasantly surprised by its totally untraditional style. The book was set up like a dictionary. Instead of chapter titles or numbers, the author used English words as a means of introduction to the section of the story she was about to tell. This stylistic approach was unique and intriguing and gave the story a new dimension.

The main character in this story, Zhuang Xiao Qiao, introduces herself to the people she meets simply as Z. Instead of allowing them to butcher her name, in a way she beats them to the punch and gives herself a simple nickname. Z is traveling to London in order to enhance her English skills. Her lack of knowledge of English is evident in the dialect used in the novel. Instead of writing the story in perfect English the author maintains the slight errors, which gives the book a more authentic feel. It seemed as if the story was really coming from the mouth of a woman who was just learning English for the first time. This style gave the book a somewhat blunt undertone. The author was completely honest about her feelings towards western culture. Instead of sugar coating her sentiments to please the reader she told things the way they were. At times her comments were comical because they so bluntly described different phenomenons, which we deal with on a daily basis.

Z was traveling in order to learn about English and gain new life experiences. This reason is so different from the other travelers and tourists we have read about thus far. I found that her reasons for travel were much more modern and relatable to me. Z was genuinely interested in learning about things outside of her native China. It is clear that Z had a desire to learn and grow from her travels, because at many points in the novel she takes out her own “Concise Chinese-English Dictionary” and looks up words she hears. Instead of merely listening to the words and not retaining their meaning, Z takes the time to learn the word and use it in her own life. This shows her thirst for knowledge and reinforces her reasons for traveling abroad.

I believe that this is a reason that many people travel today. Although some people do still travel in search of that “something better” or for bragging rights among their friends, I think that many people, especially young travelers, opt to venture abroad in search of knowledge. Through travel Z was exposed to a whole new world. Even after her trip was over, she returned to China and started a new life for herself. I think that once a person is exposed and immersed in a new society and way of life it is difficult for them to return to their lifestyles back home. It is much easier to live contently when we know no other way. But, once a person is exposed to a new way of living it is natural to reevaluate his home life and make changes accordingly.