TY - JOUR
T1 - Rose Quong becomes Chinese
T2 - An Australian in London and New York
AU - Woollacott, Angela
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - The story of Rose Quong (1879-1972) reveals how an Australian learned to use the pervasive Orientalism of the early twentieth century to her own ends. Quong claimed an essential ability to interpret Chinese culture, forging a career out of lecturing and writing on Chinese literature and traditions, and performing her own Chineseness. She juggled her mixed Australian, British and Chinese heritage in both London and New York, showing the plasticity and transportability of ethnic identities. Quong's story points to the role of London as imperial metropolis in the staging of an Australian's transnational career, even for an Australian whose imaginary homeland was China. The fact that Quong was embraced by the Australian community in London adds a new perspective on White Australia, even though that community was instrumental in steering her towards Chineseness and Orientalism.
AB - The story of Rose Quong (1879-1972) reveals how an Australian learned to use the pervasive Orientalism of the early twentieth century to her own ends. Quong claimed an essential ability to interpret Chinese culture, forging a career out of lecturing and writing on Chinese literature and traditions, and performing her own Chineseness. She juggled her mixed Australian, British and Chinese heritage in both London and New York, showing the plasticity and transportability of ethnic identities. Quong's story points to the role of London as imperial metropolis in the staging of an Australian's transnational career, even for an Australian whose imaginary homeland was China. The fact that Quong was embraced by the Australian community in London adds a new perspective on White Australia, even though that community was instrumental in steering her towards Chineseness and Orientalism.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=61149311696&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/10314610708601229
DO - 10.1080/10314610708601229
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:61149311696
SN - 1031-461X
VL - 38
SP - 16
EP - 31
JO - Australian Historical Studies
JF - Australian Historical Studies
IS - 129
ER -