Archaeological Perspectives on Chinese TV Drama Narratives and the Construction of National Identity

Abstract

National identity refers to the individual's identification with the nation-state. For the People's Republic of China, a multi-ethnic country, national identity serves as a powerful means to maintain political stability and enhance national cohesion and competitiveness. Cultivating and strengthening the national identity of the Chinese people is a significant political task for socialist literature and art, including TV dramas. The realization of national identity necessitates the narration of three fundamental facts: the history of the nation, the formation of the nation, and the reality of the nation. Corresponding to the subject matter of Chinese TV dramas, there are three major types of themes that can realize these narratives: historical themes, revolutionary themes, and realistic themes. This paper employs a multidisciplinary archaeological approach to analyze and study the creation of these three types of TV drama themes within the context of national identity. It explores how archaeological methods and theories can deepen the understanding of national history and culture, thereby enhancing viewers' sense of national identity.