Navigating Family and Fortune: The Father's Shifting Stances in The Lius of Shanghai
The patriarch of the Liu family in The Lius of Shanghai was a figure who wielded considerable authority, envisioning a multigenerational business dynasty with his sons educated abroad to perpetuate it. However, his plans were not always met with unquestioning obedience, and the unfolding events of 20th-century China often necessitated adjustments to his firmly held views. Examining his interactions with his children reveals a father who, while possessing strong initial ideas, was also capable of reconsidering his positions in response to his sons' arguments and the changing political landscape.
One notable instance of the father’s evolving perspective concerns his proposal for his three sons in England to become British citizens in 1932. His motivation stemmed from the precarious situation in Shanghai due to the looming threat of Japanese occupation. He believed that British citizenship for his sons, as co-owners of the family business, could offer protection against Japanese confiscation, as Western-owned businesses were less likely to be targeted. Initially, he anticipated no opposition. However, his sons unanimously and passionately opposed the idea, prioritising their patriotism over the family's economic interests. They gently suggested that the wartime emergency might have clouded his judgment. Eldest Son, then in the United States, was particularly vehement, citing racial prejudice in Britain and America as a reason why such citizenship would never be genuinely recognised. Faced with this strong and unified resistance, the father appeared to concede, with Third Son noting that they "may as well drop the subject entirely out of our mind[s]". While the father still wanted to discuss it further, this represented a clear shift from his initial urgent proposal.
The father's approach to his Eldest Son's education also demonstrates a capacity for changing his mind, often influenced by his son's desires and unforeseen circumstances. He had initially formulated a four-year plan for Eldest Son's education after his time at St. John’s University and Baldwin-Wallace College. However, Eldest Son proposed returning to Shanghai after only a year at Harvard. Despite some initial reservations about his son's judgment, the father ultimately agreed to this alteration of his plan. Later, when Eldest Son's prospects in North China were hindered by political chaos, the father offered him a high-level position in Shanghai, contrasting it with a lower-level position he had given him previously, admitting, "That was more or less my mis-take of not putting you in a responsible position. So I think we will have to be a little wiser this time, don’t you?". Furthermore, despite his earlier desire for Eldest Son to complete his Harvard education, the father eventually conceded to his transfer from Harvard to Wharton. These instances illustrate a father who, while having initial educational goals, could be persuaded to adapt them.
The education and health of Fifth Son also led to changes in the father's plans. Initially hesitant about Fifth Son studying in the United States due to his health, he nevertheless permitted him to attend Baldwin-Wallace College. When Fifth Son had a relapse, the father initially sent a telegram urging his return to China. However, he quickly followed up with assurances that he would finance Fifth Son's continued medical treatment in the United States. This rapid shift indicates a father responsive to his son's immediate needs and circumstances. Moreover, the father later expressed a preference for Fifth Son to remain at Baldwin-Wallace for longer due to health concerns but ultimately accepted his transfer to the University of Pennsylvania.
The matter of Third Son's marriage proposal to a Westernised woman provides another example of the father's evolving stance. Initially, both the father and mother had misgivings about the match. While the mother issued a direct refusal, the father's initial silence was unnerving to Third Son. Despite hearing arguments against the proposal from within the family, the father eventually gave his consent. This decision appears to have been influenced by his faith in Third Son's judgment and a desire for his son's happiness. Furthermore, the father initially expressed a wish for a more formal wedding, stating that a quiet ceremony in Europe "would not only run counter to the wish of the Yen family but to that of ours as well. Marriage is a very serious event and as such it deserves all the ceremony and solemnity that is commonly attached to it". However, he later seemed to accept a quieter ceremony in Europe, indicating a softening of his initial preference for a traditional, elaborate affair.
During the tumultuous period leading up to the Communist Revolution in 1949, the father again demonstrated a capacity to alter his plans. He initially proposed a strategy of dispersal, suggesting moving part of the family and business to the British colony of Hong Kong while leaving the rest in Shanghai. This cautious approach reflected the uncertainty of the political situation. However, after arriving in Hong Kong in May 1949, the father faced conflicting pressures. His business associates urged him to remain in Hong Kong, while his family in Shanghai implored him to return. After approximately six months and receiving assurances from representatives of the Communist leadership, the father decided to return to Shanghai in November 1949. This decision marked a significant change in his plans regarding his place of residence and business operations, influenced by family ties and perceived opportunities under the new regime.
Finally, the father’s interactions concerning Eighth Son's return from abroad reveal a persistent desire that ultimately did not align with his son’s own choices. The father repeatedly urged Eighth Son, who was studying in the United States, to return to China after completing his education, expressing a need for his help in the family business and even directly ordering his return via Hong Kong. Despite Eighth Son initially expressing his intention to return, the changing political climate and his own evolving views led him to reconsider. The father remained insistent, even after the Communist takeover, proposing a role for Eighth Son as a wool specialist in northwest China and urging him to bring his other brothers back to the mainland. However, Eighth Son, valuing his independence and expressing concerns about the lack of freedom under Communism, ultimately did not return permanently to mainland China after his initial post-graduation visit. This instance highlights a case where the father's persistent efforts to change his son's mind regarding his permanent relocation were ultimately unsuccessful.
In conclusion, the father in The Lius of Shanghai was not an immutable patriarch. While he held strong aspirations for his family and their business, the narrative reveals a number of instances where he adjusted his stances on significant issues. These changes of mind, often prompted by his sons' perspectives, the tumultuous political environment, and pragmatic considerations, paint a more nuanced picture of a leader navigating the complexities of family and fortune in a rapidly transforming China.
發表文章
