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This article uses the 14 stories from "Strange Tales from Strange Lands" (Yixiang yiwen) by Zheng Wanlong to discuss the problematic relationship between depictions of primitivism and the search for essential Chineseness within what has become known as "root-seeking literature" (xungen wenxue). It shows that the dichotomous relationship between primitivism and Han civilization presented by Zheng reflects an alienated notion of essential Chineseness and human existence. Since Mao's death, Chinese intellectuals have expressed concern about the emergence of a "faith crisis" and described younger people as the "lost generation." The article reveals that one stream of root-seeking literature, in its attempts to mitigate this crisis, has instead reflected and indeed perpetuated it.

The article uses the 14 stories from "Strange tales from strange lands" (Yixiang yiwen) by Zheng Wanlong to discuss the problematic relationship between depictions of primitivism and the search for essential Chineseness within what has become known as "root-seeking literature" (Xungen wenxue). It shows that the dichotomous relationship between primitivism and Han civilization presented by Zheng reflects an alienated notion of essential Chineseness and human existence. (DÜI-Sen)