Welcome to Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art,

Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art ›› 2014, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (4): 165-171.

• Classical Literary Theory and Criticism • Previous Articles     Next Articles

"To Reach the Full Spectrum of Emotions and Human Nature" and the Ontology of "Passion": Literary Concepts in the Comparative Perspective

Lou Xiaokai   

  1. International School, Tongji University (Shanghai 200092, China)
  • Online:2014-07-25 Published:2014-08-28
  • About author:Lou Xiaokai, Ph.D., is a lecturer in International School, Tongji University (Shanghai 200092, China), with research interests in modern Chinese literature and comparative literature.

Abstract: The overseas experience of the generation of scholars such as Hu Shi, Liang Shiqiu, Lin Yutang, and Xu Zhimo etc. provided them with the access to and influence from two cultural traditions, but their ideas of literature showed that the idea of "passion" (qing), highly advocated in ancient Chinese poetic criticism and its local and national connotations, was re-invested with modern and worldwide significance. As "passion" formed a paradigm under constant transformation, it constructed a space for expression with more tension. Therefore, a literary concept was formed among them which could be called passion ontological in the three dimensions of literary creation, theory and criticism.

Key words: "To Reach the Full Spectrum of Emotions and Human Nature", passion (qing), ontology, worldwideness, locality