Welcome to Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art,

Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art ›› 2015, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (2): 58-67.

• Classical Literary Theory and Criticism • Previous Articles     Next Articles

On the Modern Transformation of Ancient Literary Theory

Wang Yun   

  1. the Faculty of Arts, Soochow University (Suzhou 215123, China)
  • Online:2015-03-25 Published:2015-06-17
  • About author:Wang Yun, D.Litt, is a professor in the Faculty of Arts, Soochow University (Suzhou 215123, China), with research focus on the history of ancient Chinese literary aesthetics.

Abstract: Focusing on the contemporary research of the modern transformation of ancient literary theory in China, the paper intends to expose the implied cultural orientation behind the different ideas of and approaches to the modernization of ancient literary theory. This paper points out that, on the one hand, the approach to the modern transformation take the route from construction in the 1980s to deconstruction in 1990s and that, one the other hand, in terms of methodology, the need for an open system is widely accepted and the discursive power of closed conceptual system is undermined and dissolved. As a result, pluralist and dialogic perspectives and attitude are taken into the thinking and the various cultural resources prompt the scholars to find ways out of the theoretical dilemma of modern transformation of ancient literary theory by way of freedom and commensurability of individuality.

Key words: ancient literary theory, modern transformation, deconstruction, openness, pluralism, dialogue