Welcome to Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art,

Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art ›› 2014, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (1): 196-203.

• Classical Literary Theory and Criticism • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Multiple Metaphors behind the Playing: An Explanation of Hu Shi's Interpretation of A Journal to the West

Zhu Hongbo   

  1. the Department of Chinese, East China Normal University (Shanghai 200241, China)
  • Online:2014-01-25 Published:2014-03-11
  • About author:Zhu Hongbo is a professor in the Department of Chinese, East China Normal University (Shanghai 200241, China), with main research interests in ancient Chinese novels and the aesthetics of Chinese novels.

Abstract: Hu Shi was the first to interpret Chinese classical novel A Journal to the West by taking it as a game play. Since 1920s till now, his interpretation has met with pros and cons, but his interpretive perspective is still worth examining. In the current theoretical context, this paper surveys the academic background of Hu Shi’s interpretive perspective and attempts a new explanation. The paper tries to investigate the multiple cultural implications behind the "play" interpretation of the novel from such angles as the second innocence, freedom from constraints, and anthropological structure of game and hopes to enrich the theoretical significance of Hu Shi's "play" interpretation.

Key words: Hu Shi; A Journal to the West, the "play" interpretive perspective, the second innocence, anthropological structure