Welcome to Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art,

Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art ›› 2016, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (6): 46-53.

• Modern and Contemporary Literary Theory and Criticism • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Mirror Image Deviation in Cross-cultural Transmission: A Reevaluation of the Debate on H. D. Thoreau as a Hermit or a Fake Hermit in Dushu

Liu Luechang   

  1. the School of Foreign Languages, Shanghai Ocean University (Shanghai 201306, China)
  • Online:2016-11-25 Published:2017-09-30
  • About author:Liu Luechang, Ph.D., is an associate professor at the School of Foreign Languages, Shanghai Ocean University (Shanghai 201306, China) and a postdoctoral fellow in the Center for Postdoctoral Studies, Shanghai International Studies University (Shanghai 200083, China). He research is focused on English-language literature and Sino-U.S. cultural exchange.

Abstract: In the dissemination of H. D. Thoreau in China over the past 90 years, one heated debate with Dushu as the main platform occurred over Thoreau as a hermit or a fake one. By nature, this debate is a false statement, because Thoreau has never claimed to be a hermit. Being similar to the hermit and Chinese yinyi culture, a visible tendency to detach oneself from society and live in seclusion, Thoreau is arbitrarily judged as a hermit or a fake one. From the perspective of Chinese yinyi culture, some Chinese scholars analyzed the period, place, motivation and lifestyle of Thoeau's living alone near Walden, and therefore they misread Thoreau in the spatial and temporal dislocation .

Key words: H. D. Thoreau, debate on Thoreau as a hermit or a fake hermit, Dushu, Chinese yinyi culture, literary misreading