Abstract

The mental growth process of Taiwan intellectuals living under Japanese colonization are concretely and holistically presented in Asia Orphan. In this postcolonialist stage, some Taiwaneses still miss the period of Japanese occupation of Taiwan. This novel provides us a picture of how Taiwanese suffered at that time. The protagonist grows up to be an intellectual of the new generation under the operation of Japanese Imperialist State Apparatuses. Unconsciously he identifies with the colonial system. A series of life experiences make him unsatisfied with the Japanese rule. On the other hand, because of his being imprisoned in Mainland China, he also feels disillusioned with his motherland. The orphan consciousness gradually seizes him owing to these unpleasant incidents. Nevertheless, his half-brother's death, caused by forced labor, enables him to make a correct choice in national identity. He pretends mad and secretly goes back to Mainland China to engage in revolting against the Japanese government.

Key words: post-colonialism, Repressive State Apparatus, Ideological State Apparatus, orphan consciousness, national identity