Cosmopolitan Ideal in Timothy Mo’s <i>An Insular Possession</i>
Hong Kong-born British writer Timothy Mo’s novel <i>An Insular Possession</i> (1986) focuses on the First Opium War (1839–1842) and critically examines global inequalities. This article explores cosmopolitanism as a potential framework for mitigating cross-cultural conflicts. Instead of...
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2025-04-01
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| author | Shenghao Hu Zengxin Ni |
| author_facet | Shenghao Hu Zengxin Ni |
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| description | Hong Kong-born British writer Timothy Mo’s novel <i>An Insular Possession</i> (1986) focuses on the First Opium War (1839–1842) and critically examines global inequalities. This article explores cosmopolitanism as a potential framework for mitigating cross-cultural conflicts. Instead of embracing cosmopolitanism as an inherently positive vision, the novel critiques two cosmopolitan worldviews—British colonialism and the Chinese <i>Tianxia</i> concept—and reveals the potential complicity of cosmopolitanism in consolidating hierarchical world orders. Through the protagonist Gideon Chase, an American expatriate engaged in studying Chinese language and culture, Mo envisions a de-colonial cosmopolitan vision that seeks to transcend the center/margin dynamic and fosters more equitable cross-cultural interactions. Gideon’s ultimate failure to alleviate Sino–British tensions prompts reflections on global justice and underscores the urgent need to establish a cosmopolitan world order marked by peace, mutual respect and tolerance of difference. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b62cbbe323ec4bd08341ef7fe12a8a72 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-0787 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Humanities |
| spelling | doaj-art-b62cbbe323ec4bd08341ef7fe12a8a722025-08-20T01:56:24ZengMDPI AGHumanities2076-07872025-04-011459810.3390/h14050098Cosmopolitan Ideal in Timothy Mo’s <i>An Insular Possession</i>Shenghao Hu0Zengxin Ni1Department of Comparative Literature, School of Languages, Linguistics and Film, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UKCollege of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, School of Humanities, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639818, SingaporeHong Kong-born British writer Timothy Mo’s novel <i>An Insular Possession</i> (1986) focuses on the First Opium War (1839–1842) and critically examines global inequalities. This article explores cosmopolitanism as a potential framework for mitigating cross-cultural conflicts. Instead of embracing cosmopolitanism as an inherently positive vision, the novel critiques two cosmopolitan worldviews—British colonialism and the Chinese <i>Tianxia</i> concept—and reveals the potential complicity of cosmopolitanism in consolidating hierarchical world orders. Through the protagonist Gideon Chase, an American expatriate engaged in studying Chinese language and culture, Mo envisions a de-colonial cosmopolitan vision that seeks to transcend the center/margin dynamic and fosters more equitable cross-cultural interactions. Gideon’s ultimate failure to alleviate Sino–British tensions prompts reflections on global justice and underscores the urgent need to establish a cosmopolitan world order marked by peace, mutual respect and tolerance of difference.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0787/14/5/98Timothy Mo<i>An Insular Possession</i>cosmopolitanismSino–British relations |
| spellingShingle | Shenghao Hu Zengxin Ni Cosmopolitan Ideal in Timothy Mo’s <i>An Insular Possession</i> Humanities Timothy Mo <i>An Insular Possession</i> cosmopolitanism Sino–British relations |
| title | Cosmopolitan Ideal in Timothy Mo’s <i>An Insular Possession</i> |
| title_full | Cosmopolitan Ideal in Timothy Mo’s <i>An Insular Possession</i> |
| title_fullStr | Cosmopolitan Ideal in Timothy Mo’s <i>An Insular Possession</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cosmopolitan Ideal in Timothy Mo’s <i>An Insular Possession</i> |
| title_short | Cosmopolitan Ideal in Timothy Mo’s <i>An Insular Possession</i> |
| title_sort | cosmopolitan ideal in timothy mo s i an insular possession i |
| topic | Timothy Mo <i>An Insular Possession</i> cosmopolitanism Sino–British relations |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0787/14/5/98 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT shenghaohu cosmopolitanidealintimothymosianinsularpossessioni AT zengxinni cosmopolitanidealintimothymosianinsularpossessioni |