An Appeal for Legitimacy: A Reflection on the Autobiographies of Pearl S. Buck and Han Suyin

World renowned authors Pearl S Buck (1892-1973) and Han Suyin (1917-2012) were both raised in China and had written extensively about the people and events of the land. Their autobiographies thus served as valuable references for modem China history. Many scholars have taken an interest in their literature due to their unique background as well as their gender. The proponents of post-Colonialism and feminism may suggest that Pearl's and Han's autobiographies were making political appeals, which could be divisive in nature. However, a closer textual reading of their texts denotes that their literatures were actually advocating mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence between the East and the West. This paper will examine the legitimacy issue, which is closely tied with the dilemmas, choices and identities of the characters in their autobiographies via the Ethical Literary Criticism (ELC). The implications of their autobiographies pave the way towards exploration of critical questions such as whether there would be a legitimate place for individuals of "otherness," whether a people has the right to choose their own destiny, and whether a developing nation could earn the right to self-determine her own modernisation.