Prostitute in Exile—on Wang Chia-Chih’s Prostitunity in the Novel "Lust, Caution"

The narrative of "Lust, Caution" explores a tale of espionage, focusing on a female college student, Wang Chia-chih, who orchestrates a honey trap with her classmates, ultimately becoming emotionally entangled with Mr. Yee, the assassinated target, despite her initial intentions.Through the lens of the assassination operation, the complexities of her character are revealed, highlighting a profound erosion of her identity, accompanied by psychological turmoil, selfdeception, and latent sexual repression.Throughout this process, Wang's transformation from a college student to a figure exhibiting traits akin to those of a prostitute is evident.Like prostitutes, Wang not only commodifies her body but also exists in discordance with the grand narrative, official discourse, and her own perceptions of sex and love.This article aims to delineate a concept termed "prostitunity" through three dimensions: sexual desire, exile, and individual narrative, elucidating the interplay between the burdens Wang carries, the toll exacted upon her, and the subtle nuances permeating her innermost being.Wang Chia-chih's "prostitunity" serves as a notable representation of a seldom-seen female character in 20th-century Chinese literature-distinct yet resonant within the complexity and chaos of her context.Finally, this article delves deeper into the theme of "Lust, Caution"the confrontation between grand narratives and the individual lives of women.