In numerous regions worldwide, the preservation of a family’s lineage holds significant value, often necessitating the successor to be male.
“The Abandoner” by Ma Jian is a short story that explores the vice-chairman’s commitment to the one-child policy. When the policy was implemented in 1979, the vice-chairman and his wife welcomed their first daughter, Miaomiao, who had special needs. However, it became evident to the vice-chairman that Miaomiao brought more hardships than joy. Consequently, his wife was allowed to have another child, although they had hoped for a son. Ultimately, they were blessed with a second daughter.
Instead of simply removing Miaomiao and providing a credible explanation for her disappearance, the vice-chairman opts for a more lengthy strategy. He devotes an entire six months to trying to distance himself from her, indicating that he still harbors deep emotions towards her. This could be attributed to her being his first daughter or their extensive time spent together. Initially, he attempts to abandon her on the road in hopes that someone will look after her. Subsequently, he stumbles upon a neighboring orphanage and endeavors to leave her there, but ultimately Miaomiao returns back to him.
The protagonist receives a warning from an old fortune teller that altering his destiny is impossible. Nonetheless, he persistently attempts to do so without success, displaying both his stubbornness and desperation to rectify his family heritage. His emotions towards Miaomiao, his daughter, are also conflicting. One night, as he is about to sleep, he “hears” her communicating with him. During this conversation, she expresses that his endeavor to eliminate her is not worth the trouble, and acknowledges the lessons he has learned about himself through his persistent efforts. In reality, it is his own mind conveying these thoughts. This occurrence signifies a moment of realization for the protagonist, as he becomes a more enlightened father. Ironically, it was his intellectually disabled daughter who taught him something valuable.
At the conclusion of the story, further irony emerges as the vice-chairman purposely exposes Miaomiao for someone to take her, only to rush over and retrieve her whenever someone gets near. In doing so, he paradoxically becomes the sole guardian of the “retarded daughter”. These events significantly alter the vice-chairman’s identity, as his mindset transforms and he gains a greater understanding of himself. Although not all of the revealed knowledge is pleasant, it sheds light on his true character and personal growth.
