Eileen Chang (Ailing Zhang, 1920-1995) was one of the most influential Chinese writers of the twentieth century. Her works, considered to be among the best Chinese literature of the 1940s, examined the themes of marriage, family, love, and relationships in the social context of 1930s and 1940s Shanghai. The Ailing Zhang papers consist of six boxes of correspondence (primarily with literary critic Dr. C.T. Hsia 夏志清), manuscripts (such as The Sing-Song Girls of Shanghai, Chang’s English translation of the Chinese novel Hai Shang Hua 海上花), newspaper clippings and journal articles, photographs, essays, articles, and written speeches. While the collection includes some of her early Shanghai publications, the majority of the materials relate to her life and ongoing works after she immigrated to the United States in 1955. The strength of the collection is found within the correspondence as this series chronicles Chang’s life and career in the United States, primarily her professional relationship with Dr. C.T. Hsia. Though a largely obscure figure in modern Chinese literature from the 1950s to the 1970s, Chang's career was revived by Dr. Hsia who played a role in helping Zhang achieve wider recognition.
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