Xia Yan. Under Shanghai Eaves. Act 1 / Translation from Chinese, Introductory Article and Commentaries by O. Vorobei
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Abstract
The publication presents the Ukrainian translation of the first act of the spoken drama “Under Shanghai Eaves” (“上海屋檐下”, 1937) written by the playwright and screenwriter Xia Yan (夏衍, 1900–1995). The introductory article focuses on the modern compositional principles employed in the play, particularly the usage of parallel montage, which enables the simultaneous development of multiple plotlines across different spatial planes, generating a polyphonic representation of urban life and highlighting the interdependence of private narratives and socio-political processes. The decentralization of conflict and the distribution of action among several families create a representative model of social life in 1930s in China. The play addresses key issues of the period, including political repression, economic instability, social stratification, transformations of cultural values, and the issue of women’s economic independence. Additionally, the work demonstrates the phenomenon of intergeneric diffusion: extended authorial stage directions combine dramatic action and authorial narrative. The footnotes provide explanations of terms and cultural realities, and brief information about historical events alluded to in the drama as well.
How to Cite
Vorobei, O. (2026). Xia Yan. Under Shanghai Eaves. Act 1 / Translation from Chinese, Introductory Article and Commentaries by O. Vorobei. The World of the Orient, (3 (132), 162–188. https://doi.org/10.15407/orientw2026.03.162
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Keywords
Chinese literature; composition; montage; spoken drama; Xia Yan
References
Воробей О. (2021), Театральне мистецтво Китаю: історичний екскурс, Гельветика, Київ.
Воробей О. (2024), Історія кіномистецтва Китаю, Азіатика, Київ.
Євченко Н. (2005), «Змістове наповнення терміна “епізована драма”», Вісник Житомирського державного університету ім. І. Франка, № 22, с. 193–195.
Ян Хан & Моргунова Н. (2024), «Символіка числа “7” в українській та китайській культурах», в Наукова ініціатива іноземних студентів та аспірантів у світі інтеграції освіти і науки України у міжнародний освітній простір: збірник наукових статей за матеріалами ХI Міжнародної науково-практичної конференції здобувачів вищої освіти та молодих вчених, Харківський національний автомобільно-дорожній університет, Харків, с. 63–66.
Daulet F., Dossymbekova R., Orazakynkyzy F., Zeinolla Z., Anuar S., Kenzhebayeva A. and Zeinolla S. (2019), “Verbalization of the ‘Fate’ Concept in the Chinese Linguistic Worldview”, Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews, Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 694–702. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18510/hssr.2019.7489
Henriot C. (2012), “Beyond Glory: Civilians, Combatants, and Society During the Battle of Shanghai”, War & Society, Vol. 31, Issue 2, pp. 106–135. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1179/0729247312Z.0000000006
Hill L. (2025), Qing Collapse, Publifye AS.
Kałużyńska I. (2016), “Linguistic Composition and Characteristics of Chinese Given Names”, Journal of the International Council of Onomastic, No. 51, pp. 161–186. DOI: https://doi.org/10.34158/ONOMA.51/2016/8
Liu B. (2018), “The Breakfast Foods You Have to Try in Shanghai”, in Saveur, available at: https://www.saveur.com/breakfast-street-food-shanghai-china/ (accessed March 5, 2026).
Marks B. (2012), “Unraveling the Ancient Riddles of Chinese Jewelry”, Collectors Weekly, available at: https://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/unraveling-the-ancient-riddles-of-chinese-jewelry/ (accessed March 5, 2026).
Overmyer D. (2009), Local Religion in North China in the Twentieth Century, Brill, Leiden. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/ej.9789004175921.i-222
Ralphs L. (2012), “Fatalism, Fate, and Stratagem in China and Greece”, in Steven Shankman S. W. (ed.), Early China/Ancient Greece: Thinking through Comparisons, SUNY Press, pp. 207–237. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9780791488942-011
Rolston D. L. (2021), Inscribing Jingju/Peking Opera. Textualization and Performance, Authorship and Censorship of the “National Drama” of China from the Late Qing to the Present, Brill, Leiden. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004463394
Vorobei O. and Vechorynska T. (2022), “Principles of Cinematic Montage in Chinese Dramatic Performances: The Innovation Practices of Xia Yan”, Shìdnij svìt, No. 2, pp. 127–137. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15407/orientw2022.02.127
Woolley N. (2015), “Mingyun 命运, the ‘Destiny’ in ‘Shared Destiny’ ”, in Barmé G. R., Jaivin L. and Goldkorn J. (eds), in Yearbook 2014: Shared Destiny, ANU Press. DOI: http://doi.org/10.22459/CSY.11.2015
Xiao-jia Z. (2018), “Historical Memory and Cultural Nostalgia”, Journal of Literature and Art Studies, Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 389–402. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17265/2159-5836/2018.03.007
蔡倩雯 and 陈嘉安 (2024), “上海市奉贤区人民政府”, in 重阳节必备！ 奉贤传统方糕, 自制软糯美味全攻略, available at: https://www.fengxian.gov.cn/gzms/20241011/78042.html (accessed March 5, 2026).
汉典 (2004), “匡復”, in 汉典, available at: https://www.zdic.net/hans/匡復 (accessed March 5, 2026).
陆珂玥 (2024), “佛道二教对赵师秀诗学思想影响”, 国学, Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 713–720. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12677/cnc.2024.124110
沈沂 (2003), “宣传12–9 天津学生义教王兰庄”, in 新闻中心, available at: https://news.sina.com.cn/c/2003-12-09/00032318418.shtml (accessed March 5, 2026).
夏衍 (2007), 上海屋檐下•法西斯细菌, 人民文学出版社, 北京.
REFERENCES
Vorobei O. (2021), Teatralne mystetstvo Kytayu: istorychnyy ekskurs, Helvetyka, Kyiv. (In Ukrainian).
Vorobei O. (2024), Istoriya kinomystetstva Kytayu, Aziatyka, Kyiv. (In Ukrainian).
Yevchenko N. (2005), “Zmistove napovnennya termina ‘epizovana drama’ ”, Visnyk Zhytomyrskoho derzhavnoho universytetu im. I. Franka, No. 22, pp. 193–195. (In Ukrainian).
Yang Hang and Morhunova N. (2024), “Symvolika chysla ‘7’ v ukrayinskii ta kytayskii kulturakh”, in Naukova initsiatyva inozemnykh studentiv ta aspirantiv u svitoviy intehratsiyi osvity i nauky Ukrayiny v mizhnarodnyy osvitniy prostir: zbirnyk naukovykh statey za materialamy XI Mizhnarodnoyi naukovo-praktychnoyi konferentsiyi zdobuvachiv vyshchoyi osvity ta molodykh vchenykh, Kharkivskyy natsionalnyy avtomobilno-dorozhniy universytet, Kharkiv, pp. 63–66. (In Ukrainian).
Daulet F., Dossymbekova R., Orazakynkyzy F., Zeinolla Z., Anuar S., Kenzhebayeva A. and Zeinolla S. (2019), “Verbalization of the ‘Fate’ Concept in the Chinese Linguistic Worldview”, Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews, Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 694–702. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18510/hssr.2019.7489
Henriot C. (2012), “Beyond Glory: Civilians, Combatants, and Society During the Battle of Shanghai”, War & Society, Vol. 31, Issue 2, pp. 106–135. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1179/0729247312Z.0000000006
Hill L. (2025), Qing Collapse, Publifye AS.
Kałużyńska I. (2016), “Linguistic Composition and Characteristics of Chinese Given Names”, Journal of the International Council of Onomastic, No. 51, pp. 161–186. DOI: https://doi.org/10.34158/ONOMA.51/2016/8
Liu B. (2018), “The Breakfast Foods You Have to Try in Shanghai”, in Saveur, available at: https://www.saveur.com/breakfast-street-food-shanghai-china/ (accessed March 5, 2026).
Marks B. (2012), “Unraveling the Ancient Riddles of Chinese Jewelry”, Collectors Weekly, available at: https://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/unraveling-the-ancient-riddles-of-chinese-jewelry/ (accessed March 5, 2026).
Overmyer D. (2009), Local Religion in North China in the Twentieth Century, Brill, Leiden. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/ej.9789004175921.i-222
Ralphs L. (2012), “Fatalism, Fate, and Stratagem in China and Greece”, in Steven Shankman S. W. (ed.), Early China/Ancient Greece: Thinking through Comparisons, SUNY Press, pp. 207–237. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9780791488942-011
Rolston D. L. (2021), Inscribing Jingju/Peking Opera. Textualization and Performance, Authorship and Censorship of the “National Drama” of China from the Late Qing to the Present, Brill, Leiden. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004463394
Vorobei O. and Vechorynska T. (2022), “Principles of Cinematic Montage in Chinese Dramatic Performances: The Innovation Practices of Xia Yan”, Shìdnij svìt, No. 2, pp. 127–137. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15407/orientw2022.02.127
Woolley N. (2015), “Mingyun 命运, the ‘Destiny’ in ‘Shared Destiny’ ”, in Barmé G. R., Jaivin L. and Goldkorn J. (eds), in Yearbook 2014: Shared Destiny, ANU Press. DOI: http://doi.org/10.22459/CSY.11.2015
Xiao-jia Z. (2018), “Historical Memory and Cultural Nostalgia”, Journal of Literature and Art Studies, Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 389–402. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17265/2159-5836/2018.03.007
Cai Qianwen and Chenjiaan (2024), “Shanghaishi fengxianqu renmin zhengfu”, in Zhongyangjie bibei! Fengxian chuantong fanggao, zizhi ruannuo meiwei quan longlue, available at: https://www.fengxian.gov.cn/gzms/20241011/78042.html (accessed March 5, 2026). (In Chinese).
Handian (2004), “Kuangfu”, in Handian, available at: https://www.zdic.net/hans/匡復 (accessed March 5, 2026). (In Chinese).
Lu Keyue (2024), “Fudaoerjiao dui zhaoshixiushixue sixiang yingxiang”, Guoxue, Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 713–720. (In Chinese). DOI: https://doi.org/10.12677/cnc.2024.124110
Shen Yi (2003), “Xuanchuan 12–9 Tianjin xuesheng yijiao wanlanzhuang”, in Xinwen zhongxin, available at: https://news.sina.com.cn/c/2003-12-09/00032318418.shtml (accessed March 5, 2026). (In Chinese).
Xia Yan (2007), Shanghai wuyanxia Faxiji xiju, Renminchubanshe, Beijing. (In Chinese).
Воробей О. (2024), Історія кіномистецтва Китаю, Азіатика, Київ.
Євченко Н. (2005), «Змістове наповнення терміна “епізована драма”», Вісник Житомирського державного університету ім. І. Франка, № 22, с. 193–195.
Ян Хан & Моргунова Н. (2024), «Символіка числа “7” в українській та китайській культурах», в Наукова ініціатива іноземних студентів та аспірантів у світі інтеграції освіти і науки України у міжнародний освітній простір: збірник наукових статей за матеріалами ХI Міжнародної науково-практичної конференції здобувачів вищої освіти та молодих вчених, Харківський національний автомобільно-дорожній університет, Харків, с. 63–66.
Daulet F., Dossymbekova R., Orazakynkyzy F., Zeinolla Z., Anuar S., Kenzhebayeva A. and Zeinolla S. (2019), “Verbalization of the ‘Fate’ Concept in the Chinese Linguistic Worldview”, Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews, Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 694–702. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18510/hssr.2019.7489
Henriot C. (2012), “Beyond Glory: Civilians, Combatants, and Society During the Battle of Shanghai”, War & Society, Vol. 31, Issue 2, pp. 106–135. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1179/0729247312Z.0000000006
Hill L. (2025), Qing Collapse, Publifye AS.
Kałużyńska I. (2016), “Linguistic Composition and Characteristics of Chinese Given Names”, Journal of the International Council of Onomastic, No. 51, pp. 161–186. DOI: https://doi.org/10.34158/ONOMA.51/2016/8
Liu B. (2018), “The Breakfast Foods You Have to Try in Shanghai”, in Saveur, available at: https://www.saveur.com/breakfast-street-food-shanghai-china/ (accessed March 5, 2026).
Marks B. (2012), “Unraveling the Ancient Riddles of Chinese Jewelry”, Collectors Weekly, available at: https://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/unraveling-the-ancient-riddles-of-chinese-jewelry/ (accessed March 5, 2026).
Overmyer D. (2009), Local Religion in North China in the Twentieth Century, Brill, Leiden. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/ej.9789004175921.i-222
Ralphs L. (2012), “Fatalism, Fate, and Stratagem in China and Greece”, in Steven Shankman S. W. (ed.), Early China/Ancient Greece: Thinking through Comparisons, SUNY Press, pp. 207–237. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9780791488942-011
Rolston D. L. (2021), Inscribing Jingju/Peking Opera. Textualization and Performance, Authorship and Censorship of the “National Drama” of China from the Late Qing to the Present, Brill, Leiden. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004463394
Vorobei O. and Vechorynska T. (2022), “Principles of Cinematic Montage in Chinese Dramatic Performances: The Innovation Practices of Xia Yan”, Shìdnij svìt, No. 2, pp. 127–137. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15407/orientw2022.02.127
Woolley N. (2015), “Mingyun 命运, the ‘Destiny’ in ‘Shared Destiny’ ”, in Barmé G. R., Jaivin L. and Goldkorn J. (eds), in Yearbook 2014: Shared Destiny, ANU Press. DOI: http://doi.org/10.22459/CSY.11.2015
Xiao-jia Z. (2018), “Historical Memory and Cultural Nostalgia”, Journal of Literature and Art Studies, Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 389–402. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17265/2159-5836/2018.03.007
蔡倩雯 and 陈嘉安 (2024), “上海市奉贤区人民政府”, in 重阳节必备！ 奉贤传统方糕, 自制软糯美味全攻略, available at: https://www.fengxian.gov.cn/gzms/20241011/78042.html (accessed March 5, 2026).
汉典 (2004), “匡復”, in 汉典, available at: https://www.zdic.net/hans/匡復 (accessed March 5, 2026).
陆珂玥 (2024), “佛道二教对赵师秀诗学思想影响”, 国学, Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 713–720. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12677/cnc.2024.124110
沈沂 (2003), “宣传12–9 天津学生义教王兰庄”, in 新闻中心, available at: https://news.sina.com.cn/c/2003-12-09/00032318418.shtml (accessed March 5, 2026).
夏衍 (2007), 上海屋檐下•法西斯细菌, 人民文学出版社, 北京.
REFERENCES
Vorobei O. (2021), Teatralne mystetstvo Kytayu: istorychnyy ekskurs, Helvetyka, Kyiv. (In Ukrainian).
Vorobei O. (2024), Istoriya kinomystetstva Kytayu, Aziatyka, Kyiv. (In Ukrainian).
Yevchenko N. (2005), “Zmistove napovnennya termina ‘epizovana drama’ ”, Visnyk Zhytomyrskoho derzhavnoho universytetu im. I. Franka, No. 22, pp. 193–195. (In Ukrainian).
Yang Hang and Morhunova N. (2024), “Symvolika chysla ‘7’ v ukrayinskii ta kytayskii kulturakh”, in Naukova initsiatyva inozemnykh studentiv ta aspirantiv u svitoviy intehratsiyi osvity i nauky Ukrayiny v mizhnarodnyy osvitniy prostir: zbirnyk naukovykh statey za materialamy XI Mizhnarodnoyi naukovo-praktychnoyi konferentsiyi zdobuvachiv vyshchoyi osvity ta molodykh vchenykh, Kharkivskyy natsionalnyy avtomobilno-dorozhniy universytet, Kharkiv, pp. 63–66. (In Ukrainian).
Daulet F., Dossymbekova R., Orazakynkyzy F., Zeinolla Z., Anuar S., Kenzhebayeva A. and Zeinolla S. (2019), “Verbalization of the ‘Fate’ Concept in the Chinese Linguistic Worldview”, Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews, Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 694–702. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18510/hssr.2019.7489
Henriot C. (2012), “Beyond Glory: Civilians, Combatants, and Society During the Battle of Shanghai”, War & Society, Vol. 31, Issue 2, pp. 106–135. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1179/0729247312Z.0000000006
Hill L. (2025), Qing Collapse, Publifye AS.
Kałużyńska I. (2016), “Linguistic Composition and Characteristics of Chinese Given Names”, Journal of the International Council of Onomastic, No. 51, pp. 161–186. DOI: https://doi.org/10.34158/ONOMA.51/2016/8
Liu B. (2018), “The Breakfast Foods You Have to Try in Shanghai”, in Saveur, available at: https://www.saveur.com/breakfast-street-food-shanghai-china/ (accessed March 5, 2026).
Marks B. (2012), “Unraveling the Ancient Riddles of Chinese Jewelry”, Collectors Weekly, available at: https://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/unraveling-the-ancient-riddles-of-chinese-jewelry/ (accessed March 5, 2026).
Overmyer D. (2009), Local Religion in North China in the Twentieth Century, Brill, Leiden. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/ej.9789004175921.i-222
Ralphs L. (2012), “Fatalism, Fate, and Stratagem in China and Greece”, in Steven Shankman S. W. (ed.), Early China/Ancient Greece: Thinking through Comparisons, SUNY Press, pp. 207–237. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9780791488942-011
Rolston D. L. (2021), Inscribing Jingju/Peking Opera. Textualization and Performance, Authorship and Censorship of the “National Drama” of China from the Late Qing to the Present, Brill, Leiden. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004463394
Vorobei O. and Vechorynska T. (2022), “Principles of Cinematic Montage in Chinese Dramatic Performances: The Innovation Practices of Xia Yan”, Shìdnij svìt, No. 2, pp. 127–137. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15407/orientw2022.02.127
Woolley N. (2015), “Mingyun 命运, the ‘Destiny’ in ‘Shared Destiny’ ”, in Barmé G. R., Jaivin L. and Goldkorn J. (eds), in Yearbook 2014: Shared Destiny, ANU Press. DOI: http://doi.org/10.22459/CSY.11.2015
Xiao-jia Z. (2018), “Historical Memory and Cultural Nostalgia”, Journal of Literature and Art Studies, Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 389–402. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17265/2159-5836/2018.03.007
Cai Qianwen and Chenjiaan (2024), “Shanghaishi fengxianqu renmin zhengfu”, in Zhongyangjie bibei! Fengxian chuantong fanggao, zizhi ruannuo meiwei quan longlue, available at: https://www.fengxian.gov.cn/gzms/20241011/78042.html (accessed March 5, 2026). (In Chinese).
Handian (2004), “Kuangfu”, in Handian, available at: https://www.zdic.net/hans/匡復 (accessed March 5, 2026). (In Chinese).
Lu Keyue (2024), “Fudaoerjiao dui zhaoshixiushixue sixiang yingxiang”, Guoxue, Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 713–720. (In Chinese). DOI: https://doi.org/10.12677/cnc.2024.124110
Shen Yi (2003), “Xuanchuan 12–9 Tianjin xuesheng yijiao wanlanzhuang”, in Xinwen zhongxin, available at: https://news.sina.com.cn/c/2003-12-09/00032318418.shtml (accessed March 5, 2026). (In Chinese).
Xia Yan (2007), Shanghai wuyanxia Faxiji xiju, Renminchubanshe, Beijing. (In Chinese).
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