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• 1. [Article] Essays on Economic Development and Climate Change

  The first essay considers the relative effectiveness of government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as channels to allocate resources. I use a catastrophic climate-related shock--Hurricane Mitch--to ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Essays on Economic Development and Climate Change Author: Fitch-Fleischmann, Benjamin Year: 2015 The first essay considers the relative effectiveness of government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as channels to allocate resources. I use a catastrophic climate-related shock--Hurricane Mitch--to examine the political economy of these channels of aid distribution at the micro level. I combine extensive data on aid received by Nicaraguan households with data on municipal election outcomes and an exogenous, precipitation-based measure of hurricane impact. I find that the hurricane had long-lasting effects on the aid received by households from both NGOs and the government. In the short term, however, the government did not provide aid according to the objective measure of hurricane damage but instead provided aid along political lines. The second essay presents estimates of a relationship between extreme hot temperatures during gestation and a child's subsequent physical well-being in a sample of children in Peru, thus extending existing evidence constructed from U.S. data. Estimates are constructed using high-resolution gridded climate data and geo-coded household surveys. The results suggest that a period of extreme heat (a month whose average temperature is more than 2 standard deviations above the local average) in the period 1 to 3 months before birth is associated with lower weight at birth and a reduction in height (measured 1 to 59 months after birth) that cannot be fully explained by birth weight. There is no evidence of differential maternal investment, as measured by duration of breastfeeding, according to a child's exposure to extreme heat during gestation. The third essay asks whether improved treatment of HIV/AIDS in Africa can be achieved simply by paying health workers to do more. I present estimates of the impact of financial incentives paid to individual workers at public health facilities in Mozambique. The results suggest that piece-rate incentives increased the delivery of five out of fourteen health services for which treatment effects can be identified, with estimated increases ranging from 34 to 157 percent, depending on the particular service. I find no evidence of a corresponding decrease in the delivery of services that are not financially incentivized, suggesting that there is no "crowding out" of intrinsic motivation. Title: Essays on Economic Development and Climate Change Author: Fitch-Fleischmann, Benjamin Year: 2015 The first essay considers the relative effectiveness of government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as channels to allocate resources. I use a catastrophic climate-related shock--Hurricane Mitch--to examine the political economy of these channels of aid distribution at the micro level. I combine extensive data on aid received by Nicaraguan households with data on municipal election outcomes and an exogenous, precipitation-based measure of hurricane impact. I find that the hurricane had long-lasting effects on the aid received by households from both NGOs and the government. In the short term, however, the government did not provide aid according to the objective measure of hurricane damage but instead provided aid along political lines. The second essay presents estimates of a relationship between extreme hot temperatures during gestation and a child's subsequent physical well-being in a sample of children in Peru, thus extending existing evidence constructed from U.S. data. Estimates are constructed using high-resolution gridded climate data and geo-coded household surveys. The results suggest that a period of extreme heat (a month whose average temperature is more than 2 standard deviations above the local average) in the period 1 to 3 months before birth is associated with lower weight at birth and a reduction in height (measured 1 to 59 months after birth) that cannot be fully explained by birth weight. There is no evidence of differential maternal investment, as measured by duration of breastfeeding, according to a child's exposure to extreme heat during gestation. The third essay asks whether improved treatment of HIV/AIDS in Africa can be achieved simply by paying health workers to do more. I present estimates of the impact of financial incentives paid to individual workers at public health facilities in Mozambique. The results suggest that piece-rate incentives increased the delivery of five out of fourteen health services for which treatment effects can be identified, with estimated increases ranging from 34 to 157 percent, depending on the particular service. I find no evidence of a corresponding decrease in the delivery of services that are not financially incentivized, suggesting that there is no "crowding out" of intrinsic motivation. Close

• 2. [Article] The Effects of News Shocks and Bounded Rationality on Macroeconomic Volatility

  This dissertation studies the impact embedding boundedly rational agents in real business cycle-type news-shock models may have on a variety of model predictions, from simulated moments to structural parameter ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Effects of News Shocks and Bounded Rationality on Macroeconomic Volatility Author: Dombeck, Brian Year: 2017 This dissertation studies the impact embedding boundedly rational agents in real business cycle-type news-shock models may have on a variety of model predictions, from simulated moments to structural parameter estimates. In particular, I analyze the qualitative and quantitative effects of assuming agents are boundedly rational in a class of DSGE models which attempt to explain the observed volatility and comovements in key aggregate measures of U.S. economic performance as the result of endogenous responses to information in the form of ``news shocks''. The first chapter explores the theoretical feasibility of relaxing the rational expectations hypothesis in a three-sector real business cycle (RBC) model which generates boom-bust cycles as a result of periods of optimism and pessimism on the part of households. The second chapter determines whether agents forming linear forecasts of shadow prices in a nonlinear framework can lead to behavior approximately consistent with fully informed individuals in a one-sector real business cycle model. The third chapter analyzes whether empirical estimates of the relative importance of anticipated shocks may be biased by assuming rational expectations. By merging the two hitherto separate but complementary strands of literature related to bounded rationality and news shocks I am able to conduct in-depth analysis of the importance of both the information agents have and what they choose to do with it. At its core, the study of news in macroeconomics is a study of the specific role alternative information sets play in generating macroeconomic volatility. Adaptive learning on the other hand is concerned with the behavior of agents given an information set. Taken together, these fields jointly describe the input and the ``black box'' which produce model predictions from DSGE models. While previous research has been conducted on the effects of bounded rationality or news shocks in isolation, this dissertation marks the first set of research explicitly focused on the interaction of these two model features. Title: The Effects of News Shocks and Bounded Rationality on Macroeconomic Volatility Author: Dombeck, Brian Year: 2017 This dissertation studies the impact embedding boundedly rational agents in real business cycle-type news-shock models may have on a variety of model predictions, from simulated moments to structural parameter estimates. In particular, I analyze the qualitative and quantitative effects of assuming agents are boundedly rational in a class of DSGE models which attempt to explain the observed volatility and comovements in key aggregate measures of U.S. economic performance as the result of endogenous responses to information in the form of ``news shocks''. The first chapter explores the theoretical feasibility of relaxing the rational expectations hypothesis in a three-sector real business cycle (RBC) model which generates boom-bust cycles as a result of periods of optimism and pessimism on the part of households. The second chapter determines whether agents forming linear forecasts of shadow prices in a nonlinear framework can lead to behavior approximately consistent with fully informed individuals in a one-sector real business cycle model. The third chapter analyzes whether empirical estimates of the relative importance of anticipated shocks may be biased by assuming rational expectations. By merging the two hitherto separate but complementary strands of literature related to bounded rationality and news shocks I am able to conduct in-depth analysis of the importance of both the information agents have and what they choose to do with it. At its core, the study of news in macroeconomics is a study of the specific role alternative information sets play in generating macroeconomic volatility. Adaptive learning on the other hand is concerned with the behavior of agents given an information set. Taken together, these fields jointly describe the input and the ``black box'' which produce model predictions from DSGE models. While previous research has been conducted on the effects of bounded rationality or news shocks in isolation, this dissertation marks the first set of research explicitly focused on the interaction of these two model features. Close

• 3. [Article] Socioeconomic Inequalities in Health under Marketization and Community Context: Evidence from China

  This dissertation examines China’s market reforms over the last few decades, and their implications for (re)shaping socioeconomic inequalities in health. Specifically, I study the effect of marketization ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Socioeconomic Inequalities in Health under Marketization and Community Context: Evidence from China Author: Lin, Shih-Chi Year: 2017 This dissertation examines China’s market reforms over the last few decades, and their implications for (re)shaping socioeconomic inequalities in health. Specifically, I study the effect of marketization and related structural changes at community level on individual health outcomes. The first part of this dissertation revisits the market transition theory of Nee (1989), using individual health status as the outcome variable to assess Nee’s theory. Using multiple waves of a longitudinal survey from 1991 to 2006, I compare temporal changes in the role of human capital, political capital, and state policy in determining health under marketization. In partial support of the market transition theory, the empirical results show that the significance of human capital for health increases with marketization, while the return to political capital and one’s household registration status diminishes with a growing market. Additionally, I distinguish between marketization effects on community level, and different aspects of community context in shaping the SES-health link. I find that the level of urbanization and available resources within each community exert influences on self-rated health and change the relative importance of individual socioeconomic conditions in shaping health. Overall, this study provides new longitudinal evidence from China to support the notion that health is influenced by dynamic processes moderated by the structural changes as well as the social stratification system. I discuss the findings in the context of China’s market reform, fundamental causes theory, and socio-ecological perspectives, highlighting that health is determined by a nexus of life experiences and social environment that impact individuals at different levels. Title: Socioeconomic Inequalities in Health under Marketization and Community Context: Evidence from China Author: Lin, Shih-Chi Year: 2017 This dissertation examines China’s market reforms over the last few decades, and their implications for (re)shaping socioeconomic inequalities in health. Specifically, I study the effect of marketization and related structural changes at community level on individual health outcomes. The first part of this dissertation revisits the market transition theory of Nee (1989), using individual health status as the outcome variable to assess Nee’s theory. Using multiple waves of a longitudinal survey from 1991 to 2006, I compare temporal changes in the role of human capital, political capital, and state policy in determining health under marketization. In partial support of the market transition theory, the empirical results show that the significance of human capital for health increases with marketization, while the return to political capital and one’s household registration status diminishes with a growing market. Additionally, I distinguish between marketization effects on community level, and different aspects of community context in shaping the SES-health link. I find that the level of urbanization and available resources within each community exert influences on self-rated health and change the relative importance of individual socioeconomic conditions in shaping health. Overall, this study provides new longitudinal evidence from China to support the notion that health is influenced by dynamic processes moderated by the structural changes as well as the social stratification system. I discuss the findings in the context of China’s market reform, fundamental causes theory, and socio-ecological perspectives, highlighting that health is determined by a nexus of life experiences and social environment that impact individuals at different levels. Close

• 4. [Article] 1 + 1 Is Not Always 2: Variation in the Relations Between Mathematics Self-Efficacy Development and Longitudinal Mathematics Achievement Growth

  Creating an educational program that results in positive post-secondary and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)-oriented outcomes for all students is a national goal and federal policy directive. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: 1 + 1 Is Not Always 2: Variation in the Relations Between Mathematics Self-Efficacy Development and Longitudinal Mathematics Achievement Growth Author: Shanley, Caroline Year: 2015 Creating an educational program that results in positive post-secondary and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)-oriented outcomes for all students is a national goal and federal policy directive. Recent research has shown that in addition to measures of academic proficiency, intra- and interpersonal skills are important factors in college and career readiness. Likewise, mathematics proficiency is an important skill for successful STEM outcomes and post-secondary success, but these achievements and outcomes frequently vary based on demographic characteristics. This study utilized data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998-99 to examine the relationships between mathematics achievement growth in Grades K-1 and Grades 3-8, mathematics self-efficacy development in Grades 3-8, and demographic factors including sex, socioeconomic status (SES), and race/ethnicity. Various models of mathematics achievement growth were tested, and the relationships between both early and middle grades mathematics achievement growth and self-efficacy development were also explored. Sex, SES, and race/ethnicity differences in both mathematics achievement growth and self-efficacy development were discovered, and findings were consistent with familiar achievement gaps favoring white and Asian males from above median SES households. In particular, SES was found to be a ubiquitous factor in both mathematics achievement and self-efficacy development, and sex moderated some of the relationships between mathematics achievement and self-efficacy. Implications for future research, instructional design, and intervention development are discussed. Title: 1 + 1 Is Not Always 2: Variation in the Relations Between Mathematics Self-Efficacy Development and Longitudinal Mathematics Achievement Growth Author: Shanley, Caroline Year: 2015 Creating an educational program that results in positive post-secondary and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)-oriented outcomes for all students is a national goal and federal policy directive. Recent research has shown that in addition to measures of academic proficiency, intra- and interpersonal skills are important factors in college and career readiness. Likewise, mathematics proficiency is an important skill for successful STEM outcomes and post-secondary success, but these achievements and outcomes frequently vary based on demographic characteristics. This study utilized data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998-99 to examine the relationships between mathematics achievement growth in Grades K-1 and Grades 3-8, mathematics self-efficacy development in Grades 3-8, and demographic factors including sex, socioeconomic status (SES), and race/ethnicity. Various models of mathematics achievement growth were tested, and the relationships between both early and middle grades mathematics achievement growth and self-efficacy development were also explored. Sex, SES, and race/ethnicity differences in both mathematics achievement growth and self-efficacy development were discovered, and findings were consistent with familiar achievement gaps favoring white and Asian males from above median SES households. In particular, SES was found to be a ubiquitous factor in both mathematics achievement and self-efficacy development, and sex moderated some of the relationships between mathematics achievement and self-efficacy. Implications for future research, instructional design, and intervention development are discussed. Close

• 5. [Article] Identifying Spatial Data Needs for Chagas Disease Mitigation

  The objective of this thesis is to analyze how existing data can address Chagas disease transmission risk in South America given data availability. A literature review was conducted to determine prominent ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Identifying Spatial Data Needs for Chagas Disease Mitigation Author: Morris, Emily Year: 2015 The objective of this thesis is to analyze how existing data can address Chagas disease transmission risk in South America given data availability. A literature review was conducted to determine prominent variables that models use to assist with Chagas disease mitigation efforts, followed by a Web search to collect publicly available spatial data pertaining to these variables. The data were then used to create maps of data availability and in an agent-based model to identify which variables are most associated with disease transmission risk. Data availability varied widely across South America, and model results indicate that datasets related to household size and spatial housing arrangement are most important to Chagas disease infection in urban areas. Governments can use this information to better direct their resources to collect data and control the spread of triatomine vectors and Chagas disease more effectively, and potentially identify more cost-effective strategies for vector elimination. Title: Identifying Spatial Data Needs for Chagas Disease Mitigation Author: Morris, Emily Year: 2015 The objective of this thesis is to analyze how existing data can address Chagas disease transmission risk in South America given data availability. A literature review was conducted to determine prominent variables that models use to assist with Chagas disease mitigation efforts, followed by a Web search to collect publicly available spatial data pertaining to these variables. The data were then used to create maps of data availability and in an agent-based model to identify which variables are most associated with disease transmission risk. Data availability varied widely across South America, and model results indicate that datasets related to household size and spatial housing arrangement are most important to Chagas disease infection in urban areas. Governments can use this information to better direct their resources to collect data and control the spread of triatomine vectors and Chagas disease more effectively, and potentially identify more cost-effective strategies for vector elimination. Close

• 6. [Article] Getting Squeezed: Urban Growth Boundaries, Changes in Housing Affordability, and Affordable Housing Barriers in Oregon and California

  92 Pages

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Getting Squeezed: Urban Growth Boundaries, Changes in Housing Affordability, and Affordable Housing Barriers in Oregon and California Author: Perdomo, Evelyn Year: 2015 92 Pages Title: Getting Squeezed: Urban Growth Boundaries, Changes in Housing Affordability, and Affordable Housing Barriers in Oregon and California Author: Perdomo, Evelyn Year: 2015 92 Pages Close

• 7. [Article] Oregon DEQ: Southern Willamette Valley Groundwater Management Area Outreach and Survey

  Examining Committee: Benjamin Clark and Mark Nystrom

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Oregon DEQ: Southern Willamette Valley Groundwater Management Area Outreach and Survey Author: Dales, Sam, Fiorelli, Thomas, Gil, Ryan Year: 2017 Examining Committee: Benjamin Clark and Mark Nystrom Title: Oregon DEQ: Southern Willamette Valley Groundwater Management Area Outreach and Survey Author: Dales, Sam, Fiorelli, Thomas, Gil, Ryan Year: 2017 Examining Committee: Benjamin Clark and Mark Nystrom Close

• 8. [Article] Geographic Information Systems Housing Analysis in Albany, Oregon

  The University of Oregon’s GIScience 2 students collaborated with the City of Albany, Oregon, to gather, organize, synthesize, and map geospatial information. Albany is interested in better understanding ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Geographic Information Systems Housing Analysis in Albany, Oregon Author: Portwood, Paige, Kohler, Nick Year: 2017 The University of Oregon’s GIScience 2 students collaborated with the City of Albany, Oregon, to gather, organize, synthesize, and map geospatial information. Albany is interested in better understanding the segregation patterns of underrepresented demographic populations like racial/ethnic minority groups, low income individuals or families, people with disabilities, and seniors. GIS students used these potential segregation factors and compared them to access or availability of amenities and services. The students were divided into ve groups to cover a greater variance of ndings: Housing Patterns and Needs, Access to Opportunity, Segregation/Integration of Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups, Publicly Supported Housing Analysis, and Disability and Access Analysis. City of Albany sta will be able to utilize this report to visualize spatial patterns of segregation, areas of concentrated populations, and potentially use this information as a reference in the future to promote greater integration.Students were divided into ve groups and focused on di erent areas of fair housing: Housing Patterns and Needs, Disparities in Access to Opportunity, Segregation/ Integration of Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups, Publicly Supported Housing Analysis, and Disability and Access Analysis. Within these categories, each student chose a speci c topic to focus on; individually, students compiled data, conducted spatial analyses, and created a map(s). In collaboration with City of Albany sta , students used existing city data, plans, market strategies, and maps as frameworks to create quality maps using Geographic Information System (GIS). The fair housing group concentrations are de ned as: 1. Housing Patterns and Needs based on disproportionate opportunities for population or household characteristics such as tenure availability, race/ethnicity, income, family status, or housing age. 2. Disparities in Access to Opportunity measures the accessibility of certain population groups to living amenities such as transit, parks, schools, or grocery stores. 3. Segregation and Integration of Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups displays how racial/ ethnic groups are dispersed or concentrated, while also identifying racial/ethnic groups that may experience the highest level of segregation. 4. Publicly Supported Housing Analysis seeks to identify demographic patterns of residents who live in public housing or in surrounding areas. 5. Disability and Access Analysis is a spatial analysis showing where persons with disabilities are geographically dispersed or concentrated and what services are accessible, or within close proximity to where they live. Title: Geographic Information Systems Housing Analysis in Albany, Oregon Author: Portwood, Paige, Kohler, Nick Year: 2017 The University of Oregon’s GIScience 2 students collaborated with the City of Albany, Oregon, to gather, organize, synthesize, and map geospatial information. Albany is interested in better understanding the segregation patterns of underrepresented demographic populations like racial/ethnic minority groups, low income individuals or families, people with disabilities, and seniors. GIS students used these potential segregation factors and compared them to access or availability of amenities and services. The students were divided into ve groups to cover a greater variance of ndings: Housing Patterns and Needs, Access to Opportunity, Segregation/Integration of Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups, Publicly Supported Housing Analysis, and Disability and Access Analysis. City of Albany sta will be able to utilize this report to visualize spatial patterns of segregation, areas of concentrated populations, and potentially use this information as a reference in the future to promote greater integration.Students were divided into ve groups and focused on di erent areas of fair housing: Housing Patterns and Needs, Disparities in Access to Opportunity, Segregation/ Integration of Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups, Publicly Supported Housing Analysis, and Disability and Access Analysis. Within these categories, each student chose a speci c topic to focus on; individually, students compiled data, conducted spatial analyses, and created a map(s). In collaboration with City of Albany sta , students used existing city data, plans, market strategies, and maps as frameworks to create quality maps using Geographic Information System (GIS). The fair housing group concentrations are de ned as: 1. Housing Patterns and Needs based on disproportionate opportunities for population or household characteristics such as tenure availability, race/ethnicity, income, family status, or housing age. 2. Disparities in Access to Opportunity measures the accessibility of certain population groups to living amenities such as transit, parks, schools, or grocery stores. 3. Segregation and Integration of Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups displays how racial/ ethnic groups are dispersed or concentrated, while also identifying racial/ethnic groups that may experience the highest level of segregation. 4. Publicly Supported Housing Analysis seeks to identify demographic patterns of residents who live in public housing or in surrounding areas. 5. Disability and Access Analysis is a spatial analysis showing where persons with disabilities are geographically dispersed or concentrated and what services are accessible, or within close proximity to where they live. Close

• 9. [Article] Essays on the Economics of Telephones and Evolving Technologies

  Telephones have changed dramatically from their introduction to their current form, and done so most significantly since the introduction of cell phones in the 1980s. This has impacted competition in ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Essays on the Economics of Telephones and Evolving Technologies Author: Thacker, Michael Year: 2016 Telephones have changed dramatically from their introduction to their current form, and done so most significantly since the introduction of cell phones in the 1980s. This has impacted competition in the telephony market. I study this competitive impact of cell phones on the landline market through demand analysis in the first two essays; I turn my attention to the smartphone market in the final essay. In the first essay, I examine the effect of cell phones on telephony demand using the Consumer Expenditure Survey. I develop and estimate a model of household choice using a mixed logit as a function of consumer characteristics, unobserved alternative-specific attributes, and prices. My focus is on the evolution through time. I construct market segments and track adoptions. Evidence suggests that the move to cell phones is driven by young and and large housholds. I develop and apply a decomposition of substitutability and find that substitutability differs through time. Cell phone technologies and consumer culture have changed dramatically since 1983, affecting the level of competition in the regulated telephony market. In the second essay, I develop an empirical strategy to estimate changing demand that addresses changing technologies and preferences. I develop a flexible methodology that allows for likelihood-based estimation of a broad class of latent-dependent-variable models with time-varying parameters. Applying my methodology with a logit model and Bayesian methods, I study the evolution of preferences. Consumers have become more price-sensitive, indicating that improvements to cell phones have provided an increasing competitive constraint on landline pricing. In the third essay, I develop a model of the US smartphone industry; consumers demand products according to a random utility model; firms compete in a dynamic oligopoly model; I incorporate supply-side learning. Firms learn demand through time inspired by recursive least squares adaptive learning. Firms choose whether to release new devices and when to remove devices from the market according to expected future profits. I estimate fixed costs in this market, finding a competitive environment with significant fixed costs. Results show large entry costs and scrap values driven by substantial intellectual property related to technology products. Title: Essays on the Economics of Telephones and Evolving Technologies Author: Thacker, Michael Year: 2016 Telephones have changed dramatically from their introduction to their current form, and done so most significantly since the introduction of cell phones in the 1980s. This has impacted competition in the telephony market. I study this competitive impact of cell phones on the landline market through demand analysis in the first two essays; I turn my attention to the smartphone market in the final essay. In the first essay, I examine the effect of cell phones on telephony demand using the Consumer Expenditure Survey. I develop and estimate a model of household choice using a mixed logit as a function of consumer characteristics, unobserved alternative-specific attributes, and prices. My focus is on the evolution through time. I construct market segments and track adoptions. Evidence suggests that the move to cell phones is driven by young and and large housholds. I develop and apply a decomposition of substitutability and find that substitutability differs through time. Cell phone technologies and consumer culture have changed dramatically since 1983, affecting the level of competition in the regulated telephony market. In the second essay, I develop an empirical strategy to estimate changing demand that addresses changing technologies and preferences. I develop a flexible methodology that allows for likelihood-based estimation of a broad class of latent-dependent-variable models with time-varying parameters. Applying my methodology with a logit model and Bayesian methods, I study the evolution of preferences. Consumers have become more price-sensitive, indicating that improvements to cell phones have provided an increasing competitive constraint on landline pricing. In the third essay, I develop a model of the US smartphone industry; consumers demand products according to a random utility model; firms compete in a dynamic oligopoly model; I incorporate supply-side learning. Firms learn demand through time inspired by recursive least squares adaptive learning. Firms choose whether to release new devices and when to remove devices from the market according to expected future profits. I estimate fixed costs in this market, finding a competitive environment with significant fixed costs. Results show large entry costs and scrap values driven by substantial intellectual property related to technology products. Close

• 10. [Article] READING BODIES: AESTHETICS, GENDER, AND FAMILY IN THE EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY CHINESE NOVEL GUWANGYAN (PREPOSTEROUS WORDS)

  This dissertation focuses on the Mid-Qing novel Guwangyan (Preposterous Words, preface dated, 1730s) which is a newly discovered novel with lots of graphic sexual descriptions. Guwangyan was composed between ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: READING BODIES: AESTHETICS, GENDER, AND FAMILY IN THE EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY CHINESE NOVEL GUWANGYAN (PREPOSTEROUS WORDS) Author: Ye, Qing Year: 2016 This dissertation focuses on the Mid-Qing novel Guwangyan (Preposterous Words, preface dated, 1730s) which is a newly discovered novel with lots of graphic sexual descriptions. Guwangyan was composed between the publication of Jin Ping Mei (The Plum in the Golden Vase, 1617) and Honglou meng (Dream of the Red Chamber, 1791). These two masterpieces represent sexuality and desire by presenting domestic life in polygamous households set within a larger social landscape. This dissertation explores the factors that shifted the literary discourse from the pornographic description of sexuality in Jin Ping Mei, to the representation of chaste love in Honglou meng. This dissertation can be divided into three parts. Part one: Chapter I and II introduce my main approach to interpret the text and the historical and aesthetic context of this novel. Chapter I introduces a large historical background of the late Ming and early Qing China from the aspects of the printing industry, gender politics and the literary criticism. I argue that the blurry boundaries between genres assigned by the May Fourth scholars do not fully satisfy the reading of Guwangyan. My reading, however, scrutinizes the textual body of Guwangyan to explore the material body and body politics demonstrated in the fictional world. Chapter II explains the meaning of the title of the text, the author, commentator, the commentary, and the current studies of Guwangyan. The second part, Chapter III and IV, illustrate a close-reading of the aesthetic body of the text. Chapter III proposes that Guwangyan is a well organized novel which has a carefully designed narrative structure and internal connections among chapters. Chapter IV demonstrates the importance of characterization in the novel. I argue that through a non-polarized yin-yang dichotomy and the yin-zhen contrast, the text demonstrates the uncertainty, transformation, and development of the characters and explores their complicated inner world. The third part, Chapter V and VI, explore two important subjects of Guwangyan, masculinity and the family. Guwangyan represents the male friendship and male same-sex relationship and how they can interact with men’s role in the public and private spheres. Chapter VI broadens the discussion of the family relationship in Guwangyan to include a much larger political landscape. I argue that the latter part of the novel establishes a significant contrast between a realistic representation of political disasters and an idealistic description of family and community unity. Title: READING BODIES: AESTHETICS, GENDER, AND FAMILY IN THE EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY CHINESE NOVEL GUWANGYAN (PREPOSTEROUS WORDS) Author: Ye, Qing Year: 2016 This dissertation focuses on the Mid-Qing novel Guwangyan (Preposterous Words, preface dated, 1730s) which is a newly discovered novel with lots of graphic sexual descriptions. Guwangyan was composed between the publication of Jin Ping Mei (The Plum in the Golden Vase, 1617) and Honglou meng (Dream of the Red Chamber, 1791). These two masterpieces represent sexuality and desire by presenting domestic life in polygamous households set within a larger social landscape. This dissertation explores the factors that shifted the literary discourse from the pornographic description of sexuality in Jin Ping Mei, to the representation of chaste love in Honglou meng. This dissertation can be divided into three parts. Part one: Chapter I and II introduce my main approach to interpret the text and the historical and aesthetic context of this novel. Chapter I introduces a large historical background of the late Ming and early Qing China from the aspects of the printing industry, gender politics and the literary criticism. I argue that the blurry boundaries between genres assigned by the May Fourth scholars do not fully satisfy the reading of Guwangyan. My reading, however, scrutinizes the textual body of Guwangyan to explore the material body and body politics demonstrated in the fictional world. Chapter II explains the meaning of the title of the text, the author, commentator, the commentary, and the current studies of Guwangyan. The second part, Chapter III and IV, illustrate a close-reading of the aesthetic body of the text. Chapter III proposes that Guwangyan is a well organized novel which has a carefully designed narrative structure and internal connections among chapters. Chapter IV demonstrates the importance of characterization in the novel. I argue that through a non-polarized yin-yang dichotomy and the yin-zhen contrast, the text demonstrates the uncertainty, transformation, and development of the characters and explores their complicated inner world. The third part, Chapter V and VI, explore two important subjects of Guwangyan, masculinity and the family. Guwangyan represents the male friendship and male same-sex relationship and how they can interact with men’s role in the public and private spheres. Chapter VI broadens the discussion of the family relationship in Guwangyan to include a much larger political landscape. I argue that the latter part of the novel establishes a significant contrast between a realistic representation of political disasters and an idealistic description of family and community unity. Close