The Public Sphere and Literary Journals and Newspapers: Investigating the Discursive Formation of the Utopia in Late Qing Dynasty

Shuk Man Leung

Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art ›› 2012, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (1) : 128-137.

PDF(460 KB)
Welcome to Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art, Jul. 28, 2025
PDF(460 KB)
Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art ›› 2012, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (1) : 128-137.
Modern and Contemporary Literary Theory and Criticism

The Public Sphere and Literary Journals and Newspapers: Investigating the Discursive Formation of the Utopia in Late Qing Dynasty

Author information +
History +

Abstract

This paper takes the utopian fiction in Late Qing Dynasty as a discursive formation, and investigates its production and operational mode of the utopian discourse. The paper examines how literary journals and newspapers served as a channel for the operation of the utopian discourse in the Chinese public sphere. By revising Habermas's notion of the public sphere, Rudolf Wagner is able to redefine Chinese public sphere and discovers that the structure of Chinese public sphere is constructed by the top and the bottom strata of the society. In light of Wagner's theorization, the paper takes the utopian novels as a form of public opinion and the literary journals and newspapers as a media of public sphere. The paper singles out two fiction journals, Monthly Fiction and Racing Independent Club Fiction Monthly, as the object of study, and examines the vertical relationship between the utopian novels published and the Qing court. The paper demonstrates how the imagination of a future China is represented in these utopian fictional writings as a constructed concept, and concludes that the production of the public opinion can become a new approach to study the formation of utopian discourse in Late Qing Dynasty.

Key words

public sphere / Utopian imagination / national narrative / new fiction / discursive formation

Cite this article

Download Citations
LIANG Shu-Wen. The Public Sphere and Literary Journals and Newspapers: Investigating the Discursive Formation of the Utopia in Late Qing Dynasty[J]. Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art, 2012, 32(1): 128-137

References

“论今日时局之危”,《申报》1906年12月6日。["On the Current Crisis of Political Situation." Shenbao 6 Dec. 1906.]

阿英:《晚淸文艺报刊述略》。北京:中华书局,1959年。[A Ying: Introduction to Literary Newspapers and Journals in Late Qing. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company, 1959.]

白新良:《清代中枢决定研究》。沈阳:辽宁人民出版社,2002年。[Bai, Xinliang. A Study on Qing Central Government. Shenyang: Liaoning People’s Publishing House, 2002.]

北洋官报局:“普及教育为立宪基础论”,《北洋学报》46(1906): 29-30。[Beiyang Official Press Bureau. “On the Mass Education as the Foundation for Constitutionalism.” Beiyang Educational Journal 46(1906): 29-30.]

Bhabha, Homi. “Introduction.” Nation and Narration. London and New York : Routledge, 1990. 1-7.

蔡元培:《蔡元培全集》第一卷。北京:中华书局,1984 年。[Cai, Yuanpei. The Complete Works of Cai Yuanpei. Vol.1. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company, 1984.]

张惠娟:“乐园神话与乌托邦——兼论中国乌托邦文学的认定问题”,《中外文学》15.3 (1986):78-100。[Chang, Huichuan. "Chinese Paradise and Western Utopia: Problems on Chinese Utopian Literature." Chung Wai Literary Quarterly 15.3 (1986):78-100.]

陈玉申:《晚清报业史》。济南:山东画报出版社,2003年。[Chen, Yushen. History of Newspapers Industry in Late Qing. Jinan: Shandong Pictorial Publishing House, 2003.]

商务印书馆主人:本馆编印《绣像小说》缘起”,《二十世纪中国小说理论资料》第一卷,陈平原编。北京:北京大学出版社,1989年。51。[Commercial Press Master. "Reasons for Publishing Illustrated Fiction." The Resources of Twentieth Century Chinese Fiction Theories. Vol.1. Ed. Chen Pingyuan. Beijing: Peking University Press, 1989. 51.]

“寄售处”,《绣像小说》32(1904/1905):封底页。["Consignment Corners." Illustrated Fiction 32 (1904/1905): back cover.]

丁文江、 赵丰田:《梁启超年谱长编》。上海:上海人民出版社,2009年。[ Ding, Wenjiang & Zhao Fengtian. An Extensive Chronicle of Liang Qichao's Life. Shanghai: Shanghai People’s Publishing House, 2009.]

颜健富:《编译/变异:晚清新小说的“乌托邦”视野》。台湾国立政治大学博士论文,2008年。[Guan, Keanfung. Translating/ Paraphrasing: Utopian Vision in Late Qing Novels. Ph.D. diss. Taiwan National Chengchi University, 2008.]

郭浩帆:“〈小说林〉版本、销数及刊期问题琐谈”,《清末小说》 60(2001) 。2011年12月1日http://www.biwa.ne.jp/~tarumoto/k6002.html。[Guo, Haofan. "The Editions, Sales and Publication Patterns of Fiction Wood." Late Qing Fiction 60(2001). accessed on December 1, 2011]

郭蓁:《论晚清政治乌托邦小说》,《清末小说》22(1999) 。2011年12月1日。[Guo, Zhen ."A Study of Political Utopian Novels in Late Qing.” Late Qing Fiction 22(1999). accessed on December 1, 2011]

Habermas, Jurgen. The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere: An Inquiry into a Category of Bourgeois Society. Trans. Thomas Burger. Cambridge : Polity Press, 1989.

侯宜杰:《二十世纪初中国政治改革风潮:清末立宪运动史》,北京:人民出版社,1993年。[Hou, Yijie. The Political Reformation Wave in the Early Twentieth Century China: History of Late Qing Constitutional Movement. Beijing: People’s Publishing House, 1993.]

“东报对于改革官制之批评”,《申报》1906年11月22日。["Japanese Newspaper Criticism on the Bureaucratic Reform." Shenbao 22 Nov. 1906.]

Judge, Joan. "Public Opinion and the New Politics of Contestation in the Late Qing, 1904-1911." Modem China 20.1(1994):64-91.

Judge, Joan. Print and Politics : Shibao and the Culture of Reform in Late Qing China. Stanford, Calif. : Stanford University Press, 1996.

“徐勤致康有为书(1907年9月5日)”,《康有为与保皇会》,上海市文物保管委员会编。上海:上海人民出版社,1982年。375-78。["Xu Qin’s Letter to Kang Youwei (5 Sept. 1907), Kang Youwei and Protect the Emperor Society. Ed. Shanghai Municipal Relics Management Committee. Shanghai: Shanghai People’s Publishing House, 1982.375-78.]

李进修:《中国近代政治制度史纲》。北京 : 求实出版社,1988年。[Li, Jinxiu: History of Late Imperial Chinese Political System. Beijing: Qiushi Publishing House, 1988.]

李刚:《大清帝国最后十年:清末新政始末》,北京:当代中国出版社,2008年。[Li, Gang. The Final Ten Years of Qing Empire: The Details of Late Qing New Policy. Beijing: Contemporary China Publishing House, 2008.]

李广益:《大同新梦——清末民初文学乌托邦研究》。北京清华大学硕士论文,2007年。[Li, Guangyi. New Dream of Datong: A Study on Literary Utopias in the Late Qing and Early Republican Periods. M.A. diss. Beijing Tsinghua University, 2007.]

梁启超:“论小说与群治之关系”,《新小说》1(1902):1-9。[Liang, Qichao. "On the Relationship between Fiction and the Government of the People. "New Fiction 1(1902):1-9.]

梁启超:“新中国未来记绪言”,《中国近代小说大系》,王继权、夏生元编。南昌:百花洲文艺出版社,1998年,1-2。[Liang, Qichao. “Preface to The Future of New China.” Compendium of Late Imperial Chinese Fiction. Eds. Wang Jiquan and Xia Yuansheung. Nanchang: Jiangxi People’s Publishing House, 1998.1-2.]

梁启超:“译印政治小说序”,《二十世纪中国小说理论资料》第一卷,陈平原编。北京:北京大学出版社,1989年,21-22。[Liang, Qichao. "Preface to the Translation and Publication of Political Fiction." The Resources of Twentieth Century Chinese Fiction Theories. Vol. 1. Ed. Chen Pingyuan. Beijing: Peking University Press, 1989.21-22.]

梁启超:“论报馆有益于国事”,《饮冰室合集》第一册。北京:中华书局,1989年。["On the Benefits of Newspapers over National Affairs." Collected Writings from the Ice-drinker’s Studio.Vol.1. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company, 1989.]

“月月小说出版祝词”,《月月小说》1(1906): 1-2。["Message to the Publication of Monthly Fiction." Monthly Fiction 1(1906): 1-2.]

故宫博物院明淸档案部编:《清末筹备立宪档案史料》上下册,北京:中华书局,1979年。[Ming Qing Archival Department of the Palace Museum. ed. Archival Documents on Late Qing Dynasty Constitutional Preparations.Vols.1 & 2. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company, 1979.]

摩西:“《小说林》发刊辞”,《小说林》1(1907):1-2。[Moxi. Opening Remarks of Fiction Wood. Fiction Wood 1(1907):1-2.]

新小说报社:“中国唯一之文学报《新小说》”载《新民丛报》14(1902) :广告页。[New Fiction Press. "The Only Literary Journal of China: New Fiction." Xinmin Congbao Papers 14(1902): advertisement.]

“本报各代派处”《新民丛报》14(1902) :封底页。["Our Distributing Locations." Xinmin Congbao Papers 14(1902): back cover .]

“癸卯年本报各代派处”《新民丛报》24(1903) :广告页。["Our Distributing Locations on the Fortieth Year J4 of the 60 Year Cycle. " Xinmin Congbao Papers 24(1903): advertisement.]

“本报各埠代派处”《月月小说》6(1907):广告页。[" Our Distributing Locations in Cities ." Monthly Fiction 6 1907: advertisement.]

“本报特约代派处”,《月月小说》3(1906) :广告页。["Our Temporary Distributing Locations." Monthly Fiction 3 1906: advertisement.]

上海图书馆编:《中国近代期刊篇目汇录》。上海:上海人民出版社,1979年。[Shanghai Library, ed. Indexes to Modern Chinese Periodicals. Shanghai: Shanghai Publishing House, 1979.]

“特别广告” 《月月小说》5(1907) :广告页。["Special Advertisement." Monthly Fiction 5(1907): advertisement.]

陶佑曾:“小说之势力及其影响”,《二十世纪中国小说理论资料》第一卷,陈平原编。北京:北京大学出版社,1989年。226-28。[Tao, Youzeng. "The Power and Impact of Fiction." The Resources of Twentieth Century Chinese Fiction Theories. Vol. 1. Ed. Chen Pingyuan. Beijing: Peking University Press, 1989. 226-28]

樽本照雄:“《新小说》の重版”,《清末小说から》58(2000) 。2011年12月1日http://www.biwa.ne.jp/~tarumoto/k5801.html。[Tarumoto Teruo. "The Re-publishing of New Fiction." Late Qing Fiction 58(2000). accessed on December 1, 2011]

樽本照雄:“《月月小説》ほかの重版”,《清末小説から》60(2001) 。2011年12月1日http://www.biwa.ne.jp/~tarumoto/k6003.html。[Tarumoto Teruo. "The Re-publishing of Monthly Fiction." Late Qing Fiction 60(2001). < http://www.biwa.ne.jp/~tarumoto/k6003.html>  accessed on December 1, 2011]

樽本照雄:《清末小说研究集稿》,陈薇监译。济南:齐鲁书社,2006年。[Tarumoto Teruo. ed. Collected Writings from a Study of Late-Qing Fiction. Trans. Chen Weijian, Jinan: Qilu Publishing House, 2006.]

天涯芳草:“开国会”,《竞立社小说月报》2 (1907):104-07。[Tianya fangcao. "Establishing a Parliament." Racing Independent Club Fiction Monthly 2 (1907):104-07.]

Wagner, Rudolf. "The Early Chinese Newspapers and the Chinese Public Sphere." European Journal of East Asian Studies 1(2001):1-33.

Wagner, Rudolf. ed. Joining the Global Public: Word, Image, and City in Early Chinese Newspapers, 1870-1910. Albany, NY: SUNY Press, 2007.

王德威:《被压抑的现代性 : 晚淸小说新论》,宋伟杰译。台北:麦田出版社,2003年。[Wang, Dewei. Repressed Modernities: A Reappraisal of Late Qing Fiction. Trans. Song Weijie. Taipei: Rye Field Publishing Co., 2003.]

韦庆远、高放、刘文源:《清末宪政史》。北京:中国人民大学出版社,1993年。[ Wei, Qingyuna, Gao Fang and Liu Wenyuan. The Constitutional History of Late Qing. Beijing: China Remin University Press, 1993.]

吴趼人:“月月小说序”,《月月小说》1(1906):5-6。

[Wu Jianren. "Preface to Monthly Fiction. "Monthly Fiction 1(1906):5-6.]

“庆祝立宪”,《月月小说》1(1906):239-44。[---. "Celebration for Constitutionalism." Monthly Fiction 1 (1906):239-44.]

——: “预备立宪”,《月月小说》2(1906):181-90。[---. "Constitutional Preparations." Monthly Fiction 2(1906):181-90.]

——:“立宪万岁” 《月月小说》3(1906) :167-88。[---. "Long Live Constitutionalism." Monthly Fiction 3(1906) :167-88.]

——: “光绪万年”,《月月小说》13 (1908): 115-22。[---. "The Million Year of Guangxu Reign." Monthly Fiction13 (1908): 115-22.]

——:“革命说与立宪说论评”,《月月小说》8(1907):218。[---. "A Review on Revolution and Constitutionalism." Monthly Fiction 8(1907):218.]

——:“上海游骖录”,《月月小说》6(1907):65- 80。[---. "Shanghai Youcan's records." Monthly Fiction 6(1907):65- 80.]

熊范舆:“新官制评论”,《中国新报》1(1907):61-93。[Xiong, Fanyu. "Comments on the New Bureaucracy." China New Journal 1(1907):61-93.]

亚荛:“小说之功用比报纸之影响为更普及”,《二十世纪中国小说理论资料》第一卷,陈平原编。北京:北京大学出版社,1989年。216- 18。[Ya, Rao. " Fiction is more influential than Newspapers" The Resources of Twentieth Century Chinese Fiction Theories. Vol.1. Ed. Chen Pingyuan. Beijing: Peking University Press. 1989. 216-18.]

Yeh, Catherine. Zeng Pu's "Niehai Hua" as a Political Novel: A World Genre in a Chinese Form. Cambridge, MA.: Harvard University, 1990.
PDF(460 KB)

3381

Accesses

0

Citation

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/