Popular Literature Theory

Author: Li Yong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: This book attempts to conduct a comprehensive theoretical study of "popular literature" in order to construct a basic research framework for the theory of "popular literature." The book consists of six chapters. Chapter "Ontology" explores the relationship between "popular literature" and modernity, arguing that "popular literature" is a commercially produced literary work intended for mass readers' leisure and entertainment in modern society. The categories of "elegant" and "popular" cannot fully capture the distinction between "popular literature" and "serious literature," nor can they explain the characteristics of "popular literature." "Popular literature" is associated with various sociocultural factors, and its canonization is the result of "negotiation" among multiple forces. Chapter "Production Theory," Chapter "Product Theory," and Chapter "Consumption Theory" comprehensively examine the process of "popular literature" activities. From both economic and cultural perspectives, they analyze the role and manifestations of market logic and cultural logic in "popular literature" activities. They argue that commercial writing is directly related to the role transformation of authors from traditional amateur writers to modern professional writers, and this transformation is part of the transition from a traditional patriarchal society to a modern commercial society. Chapter "Historical Theory" and Chapter "Critical Theory" explore theoretical approaches to the study of "popular literature." The "Historical Theory" proposes the idea of establishing a historical narrative for "popular literature" from three perspectives: genre history, reception history, and cultural criticism. The "Critical Theory" discusses three critical methods—taste criticism, social thought criticism, and cultural criticism—and their respective value orientations. This book is the author's doctoral dissertation and is also the first systematic monograph in China to study the theory of "popular literature." It was completed entirely from 1995 to 2001, taking seven years. Some chapters were previously published in academic journals such as "Studies on Modern Chinese Literature," "Literary News," "Journal of Xiamen University," and "Fujian Forum," with a portion included in the "Renmin University Reproductive Materials."