Abstract: Wu Shimin’s novel Killing the Bull to Erect the Monument is a literary interpretation and self-conscious expression of fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. The novel presents the history of exchanges, communication and integration among ethnic groups in ancient China, reviews the history of joint struggles of ethnic groups against foreign invasion in modern China, and focuses on the history of the common efforts of all ethnic groups in southwest China to maintain the unity of the motherland. Through these, this novel expresses the consensus that the Chinese history is created by all the ethnic groups. Furthermore, the novel describes the unique custom of “bull spearing” in southwest China, and shows the cultural tradition of “oath swearing” and “monument erecting” shared by all Chinese people. Thus the author expresses the Chinese cultural identity in a number of shared notions such as “every form of beauty has its uniqueness,” “it is precious to appreciate other forms of beauty with openness,” and “if beauty represents itself with diversity and integrity, the world will be blessed with harmony and unity.” This novel also interprets the national identity of “loving China” through the characters’ visit to the National Day military parade, bull spearing, monument erecting and other ceremonies. Meanwhile, the national identity of “sacrificing one’s life for righteousness” is built through the heroic fighting of characters when the national unity is violated and the unity of the motherland is threatened.

Key words: Killing the Bull to Erect the Monument, sense of community for the Chinese nation, historical identity, cultural identity, national identity