The Weight of a Backpack: A Phenomenological Analysis of Typical Chinese Children's Songs

Purpose —The purpose of this paper is to explore the experience of the weight of a backpack as represented in typical Chinese children's songs through a kind of phenomenological approach. Design/Approach/Methods —The core issue pertaining to Chinese children's songs about backpacks is how the weight sense of backpacks is generated and developed in the field of song phenomenology. Findings —The “whatness” of a backpack in typical songs has varied over the past six decades, meanwhile, the backpack and its songs conceal not only the secrets of childhood but also those of China's educational system. Originality/Value —The originality of this paper embodies the unique perspective to provide a new insight into the current scholarship of the micro-politics of song-singing and the weight sense of backpack.