According to the second Farr extract (p.50-59), how did Hergé research China for The Blue Lotus?
Hergé was contacted by Father Gosset, a Belgian Missionary who had heard of Hergé’s plans to write about the Far East, and contacted him to ask if he would consider taking time to research his story as he thought any inaccuracies could hurt intercontinental relationships.
This lead to Hergé being acquainted with Chang Chong Chenn through Father Gosset. It’s mentioned in The Blue Lotus (Michael Farr,1991) that “The meeting with Chang and the sweeping away of prejudices was so important to Hergé that he transposed it into the narrative of the new adventure and created a young Chang as a special friend for Tintin.” That young Asian man in the story stopped and took time to discuss racial stereotypes with Tintin, after which, they both became friends. Unfortunately this part was left out from the cartoon adaptation which I felt to be most disappointing.
Therefore it is clear to me that Chang had a monumental effect on the way in which Hergé approached writing Tintin, and as is evident, inspired the creation of the most critically acclaimed Tintin instalment ever created.(pp1a)
I think that Hergé must have had a real interest for China and its history to change his narrative style and personally confront his readers about racial stereotypes between not only Europeans and Chinese, but to all different races.
REFERENCES
Farr, Michael. (1991). The Blue Lotus. In Tintin: the complete companion (p50-59). London:
John Murray.
https://autonline.aut.ac.nz/@@/541D502BDC67F5A87C9527D4EEC3ACE9/
courses/1/166104_2011_02/content/_1843491_1/Week%201%20Readings.pdf
PP1a – notes taken from class lecture
We did the same question yet you covered more of the points I neglected to elaborate on. I couldn't agree more though with Herge's interest for China and newfound views which he effortlessly passed on to readers about race and cultural sensitivity.
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