The Image of Characters in Twentieth-Century Chinese
Fiction

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Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art ›› 2021, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (4) : 150-159.

Modern and Contemporary Literary Theory and Cultural Studies

The Image of Characters in Twentieth-Century Chinese Fiction

Xu Zidong

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Abstract

Scholars generally believe that the most important characters in modern Chinese literature are intellectuals and peasants, and their relationship is central to the literary theme of “reforming national character”. However, in the late Qing Dynasty and contemporary fictions, officials become the third important image of characters. The complicated triangular relationship between intellectuals, peasants and officials in fictions is since formed. If the relationship between intellectuals and peasants can be summarized as “enlightenment and national salvation”, the process of “mutual transformation” between intellectuals and officials in twentieth-century Chinese fictions and the historical evolution of the “contradictory and interdependent” relationship between peasants and officialdom also need to be described separately on their own terms.