Cultural Interpretation of Dream Imagery in Contemporary Chinese Theater: Guangxi case studies

Abstract

The research aims to analyze the usage and importance of dream imagery in the narrative and aesthetic components of contemporary Chinese drama within the multi-ethnic context of Guangxi. Dream imagery is a fundamental device in modern drama because it reflects traditional Chinese metaphysical themes and addresses contemporary socio-cultural challenges. Through dream imagery, profound emotional engagement with the audience is achieved, thus communicating cultural identity and invoking self-reflection across diverse generations. Dream imagery aims to deepen modern Chinese dramas' emotional and narrative scope. The goals comprise interpreting the cultural meaning of dream imagery, analyzing the artistic use of contemporary technology to captivate audiences, and studying audiences' attitudes toward dream imagery. A constructivist qualitative approach was adopted for this study, which involved semi-structured interviews, script analysis, and performance observation to examine the multiple functions of dream imagery in the narrative, style, and culture. Significant in this study are the adaptations of “Dream of Red Mansions” and “Journey to the West,” which embody the essence of dreams as a sophisticated means of storytelling in Chinese literature. This approach merges old-world philosophic traditions with contemporary artistic technology to strengthen local identity and encourage broader cultural interactions. One shortcoming of this research is that it covers only Guangxi, which might limit the applicability of the results to other areas in China. Notwithstanding this, the research makes significant strides, deepening the existing knowledge of the dream patterns in drama and acting as a medium of intercultural artistic fusion between the East and West. The results have indicated that the imagery of dreams is central to constructing and extending the narrative and the emotional aspects of contemporary Chinese drama. It is a powerful imagistic instrument that builds cultural identity while evoking the audiences' attention by blending the old and new. The consequences of this analysis point out that dream imagery can serve as the primary focus for future inquiries into its relationships with contemporary works of art and drama for the rest of the world, providing rich information to the specialists who wish to make radical changes to the form.