The Journey of Identity in Taiwanese Bildungsroman

Abstract

Taiwanese juvenile fiction engages with cultural issues, and characters gradually construct their self-identity and grow through travel. This paper uses Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey as a theoretical framework. The fiction mentions themes such as the sense of place constructed by adolescent characters through cycling and the formation of identity. Additionally, sea turtles serve as the narrative’s protagonists to address environmental issues and anti-war narratives, in constructing the identity. These are the core aspects of identity, involving how one views oneself and understands the relationship between oneself and the world. Taiwanese fiction is frequently used for educational purposes. It not only aids in understanding oneself but also in observing the world from a cultural perspective.