The seventeen-minute-long episode of Love, Death & Robots “Good Hunting” allows us to examine the dynamics of cultural identity, race, and the reclamation of agency in an alternative history of a colonized China amid technological advancement. The dynamics of power and privilege and the racialization of indigenous people in the episode help us understand the broader implications of colonialism in terms of representation and stereotyping.
The influence of the Western colonizers in China is seen through the rapid technological advancements of the city which has resulted in the dominance of industrialization and the displacement of traditional folklore and magical creatures with magic draining from the world. This shows how indigenous folk had been separated from their culture because the motive of this technological development was never to benefit the local places that were being exploited rather it was for the benefit of the colonizers. This ended with the marginalization of the local people and separation from their own cultural identities.
Yan, the Huli jing is a supernatural being from Chinese Folklore, is presented as an exotic and seductive figure from the eyes of the colonizers which serves as symbolism for how Asian woman have been racialized and sexualized by making them appear as alien and other worldly. The power dynamics between the colonizer and the colonized are visible in the British’s disregard for the cultural beliefs and practices of the Chines which reflect the racial hierarchies and power imbalances between the two.
However, through Yan the episode achieves its aim of portraying elements of resistance and reclamation of agency. After being a victim to the marginalization of her racial group and gender, she stops suppressing her cultural identity and uses it to get revenge for all the wrongs done to her. The episode acknowledges the struggles faced by people of minority groups but also reminds us of the importance of embracing our cultural identities by challenging oppressive systems.
I loved how the episode presents a world where the boundaries between humans and machines blur, raising questions about the nature of beauty, transformation, and the consequences of societal ideals. We see Yan initially embodies the traditional Chinese beauty standards, characterized by delicate features, porcelain skin, and long flowing hair. But as the narrative progresses, the concept of beauty evolves and becomes entwined with the theme of transformation. In this steampunk universe, humans are gradually being replaced by machines, and the ideals of beauty begin to shift towards artificiality and technological enhancement. Women with mechanical limbs, known as "dolls," start to become the new embodiment of beauty, The show tackles the complex concepts of beauty and the pressures imposed by…
An Amazing read! The transformation of China through rapid technological advancement, driven by the motives of the colonizers, underscores the marginalization and separation experienced by the local people from their own cultural identities. It serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of colonial exploitation, where the interests of the colonizers often take precedence over the well-being and cultural heritage of the colonized.
The character of Yan, the Huli jing, offers a powerful symbol of resistance and reclamation of agency. Her portrayal as an exotic and seductive figure from the perspective of the colonizers reflects the racialization and sexualization of Asian women, further emphasizing the power imbalances and racial hierarchies inherent in colonial relationships.
I find it inspiring how Yan…