The Other Shore Summary
Gao Xingjian

Everything you need to understand or teach The Other Shore by Gao Xingjian.

  • The Other Shore Summary & Study Guide

The Other Shore Summary

The play's title refers to the concept of "paramita" or "nirvana," the land of enlightenment in Buddhism. According to Buddhist belief, humans experience an actual visible life full of suffering, but by living according to the virtues of "paramita"—morality, patience, meditation and wisdom—they can cross the "river of life" to the other shore and experience enlightenment.

The Other Shore reveals many themes and traits characteristic of Xingjian's writing. Thematically, the play...

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