Mark Twain is an essential American writer from the mid-nineteenth century to the early twentieth century. Many images and descriptions of the Chinese appear in his works, which have attracted the attention of many scholars in China. This paper explores whether the images of Chinese in Mark Twain's works are consistent with cultural authenticity from the perspective of cultural authenticity. So as to clarify the representative Chinese images in Mark Twain's works and whether their description conforms to the authenticity of Chinese culture. At the same time, it also provides a new way of thinking to explore the specific reasons for the way of presenting Chinese images.

Su Han, Nan Hu. An Exploration of the Chinese Image and Its Cultural Authenticity in Mark Twain's Literature. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences (2023) Vol. 6, Issue 8: 81-88. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJHSS.2023.060816.

[1] Harper L J, Brand S T. (2010) More Alike than Different: Promoting Respect through Multicultural Books and Literacy Strategies. Childhood Education, 86(4): 224-233.

[2] Zhang H. (2011). Representations of Chinese Culture and History in Picture Books of the Westerville Public Library: Educational Quality and Accuracy of Children Literature about China and Chinese Culture. 

[3] Hu N., & Minh N. N. (2019). A Study on Cultural Authenticity of Folktale-based Chinese-American Picturebooks for Multicultural Education. English and American Literature Education, 23(2), 179-207. 

[4] Mo W, Shen W. Reexamining the Issue of Authenticity in Picture Books. Children’s Literature in Education, 1997, 28(2):85-93.

[5] Fox, D. L., & Short, K. G. (2003).Stories Matter: The Complexity of Cultural Authenticity in Children's Literature. National Council of Teachers of English, 1111 W. Kenyon Road, Urbana, IL 61801-1096.

[6] Su-Jeong, Wee, Soyeon. (2015). Korean Culture as Portrayed in Young Children's Picture Books: The Pursuit of Cultural Authenticity. Children’s Literature in Education.

[7] Twain M. (2019). Goldsmith's Friend Abroad Again. Good Press. 

[8] Yoo-Lee E Y, Fowler L, Adkins D (2014). Evaluating Cultural Authenticity in Multicultural Picture Books: A Collaborative Analysis for Diversity Education. The Library Quarterly: A Journal of Investigation and Discussion in the Field of Library Science, 2014.

[9] Cai G. Y. (2014) On the Work and Treatment of Chinese Laborers in the United States in the Middle and late 19th Century. Sichuan Normal University.

[10] Chen H. S. (1984) Compilation of Historical records of Chinese Laborers going abroad: American and Canadian Chinese Laborers. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company.

[11] Chen M., & Wang, X. J.(2007). Dreamers, Mirrors and Scapegoats: An Analysis of the Image of Chinese in Mark Twain's Works. Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 07(05): 61-65.

[12] Jiang Z.Q. (2008) Cultural Conflict and Cultural Identity after Mirror Image: Chinese Images in British and American Literature. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company.

[13] Kelley J E . Harmony, Empathy, Loyalty, and Patience in Japanese Children's Literature[J]. Social Studies, 2008, 99(2):61-70.

[14] Lai R. (2015) Study on the Image of China under Mark Twain's Pen. Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.

[15] Li Y.J.(2006). Discussion on Cultural Commercialization and Cultural Authenticity in Folk Tourism Development. Chinese Journal of Literature and History, 06(10X):2.

[16] Wu J.T (Ed.) (2002) The Complete Works of Mark Twain (19 volumes).Shijiazhuang: Hebei Education Press.

[17] Tong Q. B.(2004). Literature Theory Course. Beijing: Higher Education Press,2004.155.

[18] Shen J. (2017). A Comparative Study on the Chinese Images in the works of Mark Twain and Yan Geling -- A Case Study of the Book of Ascetic and Fusang. Journal of Hubei Second Normal University, 34(12): 30-33.

[19] Shi W.M. (2006) The Image of China in Mark Twain's Works. Fujian Normal University.

[20] Shi W. M. (2009) The Misinterpretation and Closeness of Chinese Cultural Communication -- On the Significance of Chinese Images in Mark Twain's Works. Journal of Southeast Communication, (01): 192-194.

[21] Wu T. W., & Liang, C.L. (2012). Analysis of American Chinese Laborers in the Middle and late 19th Century. Journal of Huaihua University, 30(1):3.

[22] Wang Y.Y. (2010). On the Evolution of literary Authenticity in the New Era from Local Novels -- Taking Han Shaogong's Dad Dad and Zhang Wei's Old Boat as examples. Silk Road, (4):2.

[23] Xu X. Y. (2011). Analysis on the Image of Chinese in the Book of Asceticism. Literary Circle: Theoretical Edition, 11(5):2.

[24] Zhang G.X., &, Yao T. (2017). Dream Pursuit and Realization of Chinese Railway Workers in America: Based on the perspective of overseas Chinese. American Studies, 31(6):31.

[25] Zhang M. (2006). Discussion on the Cultural Authenticity of Tourism Destinations. Academic Exploration, 06(6):4.