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25 March 2017, Volume 37 Issue 2 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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Modern and Contemporary Literary Theory and Criticism

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Originality in Modern and Contemporary Chinese Drama Revisited: Spoken Drama vis a vis Chinese Opera Sun Huizhu (William) 2017, 37 (2):  6-18.  Abstract ( 205 )   PDF (1821KB) ( 71 )   From a comparative perspective and using originality as the main criterion, this study examines dramatic literature in modern and contemporary China, including Chinese opera as well as spoken drama, especially taking seriously the former, often overlooked by modern literary scholars. The conclusion is that the achievements of Chinese opera are greater than those of spoken drama. And modern Chinese opera has unwittingly had a breakthrough in the area of modern verse drama where western dramatists have tried but largely failed in the last century or so. Some Chinese operas may likely become the most valuable world classics from Chinese theatre. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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New Changes of Confucianism during the Late Qing Dynasty and the New Novel's Imagination of the Nation Zhu Jun, Sun Xun 2017, 37 (2):  19-28.  Abstract ( 236 )   PDF (1314KB) ( 127 )   New Novel's imagination of the nation in the 20th century marked the beginning of modern Chinese novel as well as the narrative of a modern nation state. It was related both to the introduction of western modernity and new changes of Confucianism during the late Qing Dynasty. The convergence of the evolution theory in Gongyang studies and that in the West changed the traditional temporal and spatial structure in Chinese novels, which consequently resulted in the shift from traditional utopians to the imagination of the future "New China". While Chinese writers were introducing western political ideas by writing political novels, they in fact reconstructed the sign system of the nation state based on ideal civilization and ethics. The mutual stimulation between the narrative of "distinction between the Han nationality and ethnic groups" and the awareness of a nation state in the New Novel played a key role in constructing the national identity. From the perspective of a nation, the New Novel reconstructed the popular national discourse by relying on the thought of Great Harmony, and drew a picture for the perfect world — a civilized, universal, and ethical human society. The oriental imagination of the nation embodied by the New Novel was a reflection on modernity, which was also what Confucianism contributed to human civilization. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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"Engaging in Literature for Life" in the Era of Post-revolution: the Theoretical Framework and Connotation of Zhu Ziqing's Literary Appreciation Luo Cheng 2017, 37 (2):  29-36.  Abstract ( 287 )   PDF (1737KB) ( 49 )   Previous studies have primarily recognized Zhu Ziqing's significance in modern hermeneutics of poetry, literary criticism, the establishment of literary studies as a discipline, etc; and they tend to pay much attention to the influence of Richards and Empson's semantic criticism on Zhu's methodology of appreciation. However, in the historical context of post-revolution Zhu's literary appreciation is not just for "appreciation" or "knowledge", but originates from his anxiety about the cultural and political conflicts between the new and the old. That the two literary events between him and Gu Sui and Zhu Guangqian reveal Zhu's uniqueness on his theoretical framework of literary appreciation: he emphasizes analysis instead of taste, semantics instead of psychology; he also emphasizes historical and aesthetic analysis. With his selective reception of Western theory, Zhu, by drawing on both Chinese and Western experience, established his own poetics of appreciation. As a result, the true meaning of Zhu's literary appreciation is "Engaging in literature for life". References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Huaxia Mythological Astronomy and the Comparative Literary Studies of the Multi-ethnic Chinese Nation Dai Yunhong 2017, 37 (2):  37-47.  Abstract ( 235 )   PDF (2151KB) ( 157 )   Contemporary literary studies in China is moving towards a new direction, which is to reflect on and study the literature of multi-ethnic China by considering cultural-historical characteristics of the Chinese multi-ethnic nation and the multiple sources and ethnic groups in and of Chinese literature. Studies in Chinese mythology and archaeoastronomy indicate that Huaxia mythological astronomy is the source and basis of Chinese history, culture and literature. If the Chinese comparative literary studies reflect on their history, horizons and scope, Huaxia mythological astronomy should become a cornerstone and starting point of this discipline.  References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Literature of Small Nationalities: Rewriting History, Boundary and Transgression Li Changzhong 2017, 37 (2):  48-57.  Abstract ( 225 )   PDF (1487KB) ( 103 )   The encounters of tradition and modernity, the local and the global make rewriting history a prominent narrative syndrome of literature of small nationalities. It is rewriting history’s basic appeal to summon collective memory and subsequently to reinforce an awareness of boundary and reproduction of identity with it. History in this sense is not a grand history written to be verified, but a narrative and hermeneutic tradition, a past constructed and molded by texts. Because of the absence of self-other spatial dimension, the single temporal dimension of tradition-modernity makes rewriting history penetrate the boundary of literature and ethics. Rewriting history can only exit from existing predicament by adopting "fluid tradition/history" as the principle of narration and inter-ethnic communication, and by dispensing with the binary mindset. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Classical Literary Theory and Criticism

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A Study of Liu Yongji's Litterateur Temperament through an Analysis of the Separation and Reunion of Xueheng and Xiangjun Chen Wenxin, Jiang Junwei 2017, 37 (2):  58-68.  Abstract ( 233 )   PDF (1795KB) ( 152 )   This paper aims to reveal Liu Yongji's litterateur temperament by analyzing the separation and reunion of Xueheng and Xiangjun, and by focusing on Liu Yongji's activities in the 1920s with reference to an inclusive definition of the academic community of Xueheng. In terms of Xueheng, Liu Yongji's role was always a supporter and a follower. In contrast, he adopted a more independent cultural attitude in terms of his discourse for Xiangjun. Unlike Xiangjun, which paid more attention to literature, Xueheng valorized academic research. Unlike Liu Yongji's high-hearted pride, Wu Mi’s style was much more like one of a fighter. These differences reveal Liu Yongji's litterateur temperament. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Zhuzhi Poetry's Shift of Writing Pattern and Its Improvement of Status in the Qing Dynasty Zhu Yi'an 2017, 37 (2):  69-78.  Abstract ( 264 )   PDF (1741KB) ( 144 )   Compared with the composition features in the Ming dynasty, zhuzhi poetry becomes more realistic in the Qing dynasty. Zhuzhi poetry and hundred endemic poetry are used to write detailed comments in ancient books and local chronicles, which pay special attention to documenting events and reality. These changes are related to the popularity of pragmatism that encourages contribution to society. At the same time, the intentional practice of taking part in compiling historical books enables many poets write local chronicles in the form of zhuzhi poetry. Because of their use of zhuzhi poetry to offer supplements to local chronicles and their empirical attitude to the study of local customs, the writing pattern of zhuzhi poetry shifts from lyricism to narration. Such a shift establishes aesthetic standard and pattern of writing in the Qing dynasty, hence its profound influence on modern urban zhuzhi poetry. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Analyzing Poetics with Calligraphy: Calligraphy and Poetics of the Classicist School in the Ming Dynasty Yuan Xianpo 2017, 37 (2):  79-87.  Abstract ( 288 )   PDF (1298KB) ( 220 )   Analyzing poetics with calligraphy is an important strategy for the Ming dynasty classicist poetics. It originates from Su Shi and Yan Yu, flourishes with the first seven celebrities and the last seven celebrities, and ends in the five litterateurs. Such a combination of calligraphy and poetics aims to establish classical aesthetics by learning from calligraphy in terms of its classical characteristics, and thus to find a theoretical basis for ancient poetics. Furthermore, the classicist school moves beyond the connection of form between calligraphy and poetics by emphasizing practice, namely, composing poetry in the way of coping calligraphic works. In short, the classicist school establishes a well-developed poetics by relating it to calligraphy, hence anticipating the widespread of classicism in the Ming dynasty. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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A Discussion of "Wen Bi" Theory in the Southern Dynasties from the Taboos of "Bi" Tang Yunyun 2017, 37 (2):  88-93.  Abstract ( 249 )   PDF (1692KB) ( 76 )   Scholars have been discussing the connection between "Wen Bi" theory and its function in the division of literary genres. The book Wenjing Mifu Lun emphasizes the harmony but does not require end rhyme. "Wen Bi" theory is closely linked to the parallel prose according to taboos of "Bi", and thus they share popularity in the Southern Dynasties and decline in Tang Dynasty. We can also conclude from this fact that there is study of rhythm in the Southern Dynasties, which, however, was not sufficient to prove that there was the idea of "pure literature" at that time. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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An Interpretation of Zhang Xuecheng's Idea "the Philosophers and History Failed, yet the Collection Flourished" Fu Xu 2017, 37 (2):  94-101.  Abstract ( 311 )   PDF (1759KB) ( 213 )   In Shijiao Zhang Xuecheng argues that "the philosophers and history failed, yet the collection flourished", using refined words to summarize the change of academic studies after Warring States. Not only does the argument describe the change of private writing's form, but also reveals its substantial change, which is the loss of purposes. In his discussion of the decline of history, Zhang Xuecheng especially emphasizes the loss of specialized subjects. This argument contains Zhang's academic ideal, and provides a frame of reference when it comes to other topics in Wenshi-Tongyi. The multiple dualities in this argument are consistent with the meaning of "write" ("zhuanshu") and "record" ("jizhu") in Shujiao. From his criticism to the art of writing, we could also see Zhang's pursuit of "yangong". References | Related Articles | Metrics

Western Literary Theory and Criticism

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The Neo-noir Crazy Stone Phenomenon Harry H. Kuoshu 2017, 37 (2):  102-117.  Abstract ( 313 )   PDF (1545KB) ( 206 )   The Crazy Stone phenomenon in China is often described as the black carnival of both the movie goers and the concerned scholars. The filmic and discursive enthusiasm for Crazy Stone has drawn much attention to the carnival theory by M. Bakhtin and the postmodern theoretical attention to mass culture. Surveying the cultural implications of craziness and how Crazy Stone connects with both the global as well as domestic film cultures, the author of this article observes the absence of such concepts as film noir and neo noir in this round of discussion and argues that Crazy Stone discourse and many of the Crazy Stone initiated films constitute an episode of global neo noir. Aided by black humor, neo noir better connects with many concepts frequently surfaced in the Crazy Stone discourse, such as mass culture, carnival as a communal patterning of visual imagination, mediascape for cultural communication through films, a cross-cultural usage of dog images, as well as cynicism. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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The Theoretical Evolution and Literary Orientation of "Symptomatic Reading" Yao Wenfang 2017, 37 (2):  118-128.  Abstract ( 311 )   PDF (1787KB) ( 103 )   The term "symptomatic reading" initiated by Althusser, as far as the origin of the term is concerned, can be traced to Freud and Lacan. Freud uncovers meaning from slips of tongue, dreams and the symptoms of the insane. Adopting philosophy, psychology and linguistics in rebuilding psychoanalysis, Lacan seeks to restructure, in a scientific and systematic manner, Freud's view that symptoms are meaningful. This is what lays the foundation for the theory of "symptomatic reading" put forward by Althusser. In the process of establishing the theory, Althusser derives the method from the form of negation Hegel investigates in his Science of Logic, extracts the concept from the research of Freud and Lacan on the mind of the insane and gains the inspiration from the probe into residual value made by Marx in his Capital. Althusser perceives "Symptomatic Reading" as a form of production, with the effort of self-refutation and self-correction leading in reverse to the growth of knowledge and the leap of theory. In the following development, "symptomatic reading" is oriented towards the research of literature, creating a new space in the field. The theory has been applied in the criticism of literature by Macherey and taken still further by Culler into the realm of cultural research. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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The Quarrel between Philosophy and Poetry in Agamben's Literary Horizon Jiang Hongsheng 2017, 37 (2):  129-140.  Abstract ( 277 )   PDF (1817KB) ( 177 )   The split between philosophy and poetry has long been accepted as natural in Western culture. Agamben maintains that this scission actually engendered serious problems. It is a manifestation of the schizophrenic character of Western culture: the subject cannot fully possess the object of knowledge and experience the wholeness of humanity, leading to alienation of the self and culture. In addressing the old enmity between philosophy and poetry, Agmaben proposes a kind of creative criticism, which joins together criticism and creation, to recover the unity of the fragmented word in Western culture. In Agamben's view, the development of an "interdisciplinary discipline" without a specific object, in which all the human sciences converge, is the cultural task of the coming generation. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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The Influence of Gender Theory on Women Studies and Its Debates Zhang Chenghua 2017, 37 (2):  141-147.  Abstract ( 313 )   PDF (1255KB) ( 306 )   In the 1970s, gender theory emerged under the influence of the research of the American psychoanalyst Robert Stoller. Scholars in women studies who rely on gender theory focused on the social construction of gender identity, elaborating on how the discourse around men and women shape masculinity and femininity, and how masculinity and femininity construct the  hierarchy of men and women. Under the influence of gender theory, researchers conducted research in four areas: the analysis of symbolic images, the construction of different disciplines, the distinction of social roles and the internalization of value systems. Gender theory also prompts us to accept the generalized power and ignore the function of contexts, leading to the narrow-mindedness, rigidity and stereotyping in women studies.    References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Jonathan Culler and Feminism Wu Fang 2017, 37 (2):  148-154.  Abstract ( 377 )   PDF (1250KB) ( 243 )   Jonathan Culler constructs Feminist reading theory from the angle of literary deconstructionism. He elaborates on Feminist reading theory from three facets: reading and interpretation of women's experience, women's reading that identifies with men and that asserts reason. As a male theorist recognized by many women critics, Culler fully affirms Feminism and reflects upon it from a deconstructionist perspective. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Aesthetics and Culture Studies

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The Performativity of Cultural Trauma and the Construction of Trauma Discourse Wang Jianhui 2017, 37 (2):  155-161.  Abstract ( 347 )   PDF (1515KB) ( 165 )    As literary theories, the trauma theory and the performativity theory are interrelated in that performativity is the process of trauma representation and trauma is the object of performativity. Trauma does not preexist, but becomes one. The performativity of cultural trauma is the means by which trauma discourse is constructed. Through an exploration of the performativity of cultural trauma and of the construction of trauma discourse, this article sorts out and examines the two literary theories in question and their critical paradigms. Related Articles | Metrics

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The Riddle of Life and Death and Its Appearance on Vase Paintings: An Interpretation of the Essential Theme of the Pre-Socratic Cosmological Aesthetics Wang Shunning 2017, 37 (2):  162-172.  Abstract ( 188 )   PDF (1515KB) ( 199 )   The essential theme of Pre-Socratic cosmological aesthetics is the riddle of life and death. It shows that from the very beginning Pre-Socratic thoughts were not about the exploration into nature, but about life and death. Such a concern was conceived in Proto-Geometric and Geometric decorated pottery in the Dark ages, rather than derived from the writings of Hesiod and Homer. Related Articles | Metrics

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Game Impulse's Negation of Time in Time: Temporality in Schiller's Aesthetics (II) Liu Yanshun 2017, 37 (2):  173-182.  Abstract ( 303 )   PDF (1797KB) ( 152 )   Temporality is the key to Schiller's aesthetics and aesthetic education, which should be elucidated. Schiller believes that temporality must be followed in order to give a clear account of the fundamental differences between the perceptual impulse and the rational impulse in terms of their composition. He argues that the game impulse, which is of narrow temporality, cannot have far foresight, that the rational impulse as maxims, ethical norms and religious gods can negate time, and that temporality is by no means a tertiary criterion independent of the other two impulses. Only in the game impulse can rationality be activated and developed in perceptual activities and maintained in games. Schiller's thought on the "living image" is mainly an analysis of the "flow" of the inner time-conscious dimensions of aesthetic activities. This thought is the foundation for Schiller's aesthetic education. Related Articles | Metrics

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The Logical Basis of "Illocution" and the Problem of "Intentionality": Quine's "Reducto ad Absurdum" and the Dispute between Wittgenstein and Kripke Lin Yunke 2017, 37 (2):  183-192.  Abstract ( 293 )   PDF (1343KB) ( 74 )   With the introduction of analytic philosophy in general and the analysis of everyday language in particular into studies of literary theory, illocution has become a widely accepted theoretical resource therein. The ready application of this theory in literary studies without considering its evolution within analytic philosophy has caused many problems in literary theory, the most visible of which is the issue of "intentionality" contained in illocution. Searle's seminal paper "The Logical Status of Fictional Discourse" marks the involvement of analytic philosophy in studies of literary theory, but his "given intentionality" stance has become a new problem. The logical status of intentionality has to be addressed in the introduction of analytic philosophy into studies of literary theory, which entails an examination of the logical basis of illocution from the point of view of analytic philosophy. The paper explores the logical basis of "illocutionary" by rethinking the "indeterminacy" of Quine and the significant dispute between Wittgenstein and Kripke in this regard, and illustrates the logical status of "intentionality" in "illocution" and the tendency of "the turn of everyday ethics" incurred by the blending of the speech act theory and literary theory. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Highlight: Studies of Terry Eagleton

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On Terry Eagleton's Revolutionary Criticism Wang Wei 2017, 37 (2):  193-199.  Abstract ( 228 )   PDF (1259KB) ( 93 )   The “revolutionary criticism” which Eagleton uses in the interpretation of Walter Benjamin is often equated with “political criticism” or “ideological criticism” by some researchers, but what have been downplayed or even ignored are the relationship between “revolutionary criticism”, cultural revolution, and the revolutionary cultural practice, as well as the revolutionary energy generated among them. Eagleton points out that the “revolutionary criticism” has anticipated the practice of contemporary deconstruction criticism, and yet they have qualitative difference. Significantly, some of his descriptions of deconstructionism are simplistic. Some scholars believe that the “revolutionary criticism” is his ideal criticism, which neglects the problem of its idealism, as well as his love for and practice of the “constellation” criticism of Walter Benjamin. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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The Violent "Linguistic Utopia": the Issue of Evil in Terry Eagleton's theory Wang Jian 2017, 37 (2):  200-205.  Abstract ( 269 )   PDF (1698KB) ( 82 )   The issue of Evil which Terry Eagleton discusses is a hot topic that originated from the Auschwitz Concentration Camp, though many modern philosophers are puzzled about this unexplained violence which suddenly appeared in history. Eagleton turns his attention to the layer of Language, arguing that the transcendentality in Language contains both creativity and lethality. Eagleton's contemplations also include his reflections on Arnoldian elitist theories. He calls for a new ethical materialism which is related to the other and personal limitation and both the relation to the other and personal limitation are uncontrollable. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Eagleton on Culture and the Death of God：A Discussion of "the Theological Turn" of Western Leftists Wang Xi 2017, 37 (2):  206-213.  Abstract ( 261 )   PDF (1759KB) ( 169 )   As a well-renowned critic of Western cultural leftists, Eagleton turns his research focus from cultural sphere to political issues in the new era. He reminds the intellectuals that the secular age seems to have been replaced by a new era, namely, the post-secular era, where metaphysical conflicts have caused various kinds of vital threats to world peace directly. He argues that Marxist critics have the responsibilities to venture into the overlapping areas of religion and politics. Eagleton's new work Culture and the Death of God attempts to correspond to the above aporia and open up the third way of returning to the doctrine of faith, differing from the opposite poles of liberal secularism and religious fanaticism. In the new wave of theological turn of criticism, Eagleton tries to assist cultural leftists’ political practice by virtue of theological discourse, so as to find solutions to contemporary cultural and political problems. Meanwhile, Eagleton's efforts also act as an explanation to why the Western leftists have such a theological turn. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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A Summary of the 13th Annual Meeting of the Society of Chinese Literary Theory and the Conference on Reviewing and Rethinking Chinese Literary Theory of the Past Century Yang Jian'gang 2017, 37 (2):  214-216.  Abstract ( 165 )   PDF (1238KB) ( 60 )   Related Articles | Metrics