Complexity in Nature and Humanity in Red Sorghum

From the beginning of Red Sorghum, it is apparent that the story will be characterized by opposites. The narrator describes Northeast Gaomi township as “the most beautiful and most repulsive… place in the world” (Yan 3). On the sometimes painful, sometimes delightful journey from beginning to end of this novel, we come to find that opposites permeate every aspect of Mo Yan’s story: from the careful, intricate prose that narrates both the most delicate aspects of nature to the most graphic and blood spattered of battles, to the heroic as well as anti-heroic aspects of every character in the novel. Despite Red Sorghum being a work of fiction, it is above all honest. Mo Yan shies away from painting heroes as immaculate do-gooders and enemies as soulless demons and rather pushes for an honest portrayal of history, humanity, and nature. Humanity and nature, their intimate connection and their reflective relationship are an integral part of the many messages we as readers can take away from this novel. This research paper seeks to analyze the relationship between humanity and nature by exploring the techniques Mo Yan uses to create an honest depiction of both that accurately reflects the real world in which we live. This paper will also delve into the nature of opposites that Red Sorghum utilizes throughout to hash out the messages about humanity, nature, and history that Mo Yan seeks to portray.Ope