Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

A Generational “Family Experiment”: A Study of Intergenerational Relationships in the Works of Post-80s Female Writers

Chen LinSchool of Liberal Arts, Guangxi University, Nanning, China*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

Since the turn of the new century, the literary works of post-80s female writers have matured significantly, with their social perspectives broadening in both scope and depth. However, existing research remains insufficient. This paper focuses on the novels of post-80s female writers such as Sun Pin, Zhang Yiwei, and Di An, exploring how their intergenerational relationships narratives employ strategies like disease metaphors, spatial tensions, and non-traditional family structures to present three key themes: intergenerational trauma, intergenerational conflict, and intergenerational reconstruction. Disease symbols not only manifest as symptoms of intergenerational trauma but also point to collective cultural memories. Micro-space imagery, through temporal and spatial compression, becomes a battleground for intergenerational power dynamics. Meanwhile, the “family experiments” with atypical family structures break away from traditional intergenerational narrative paradigms, deconstructing patriarchal family ethics and constructing narratives that emphasize female subjectivity. These works not only provide contemporary literature with a fresh female perspective and aesthetic paradigm but also offer a significant literary framework for understanding the transformation of intergenerational relationships in modern society.

Keywords: Post-80s Female Writers; Intergenerational Relationships; Feminism; Family Experiments
Published: May 15, 2025
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2025.22833
Volume: CHR Vol.57
pp. 95-104
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