Children of God

Author: Zhang Zhiping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: From ancient times to the present, the development of literary concepts in Chinese literature has gone through three stages. The first stage is the "stage of mixed literary concepts," characterized by the blending of literature and history, and the coexistence of literary and historical writing. This stage spans a long historical period. The second stage is the "stage of pure literature," with its core being the recognition of the independent value of literature. This era began in the early 20th century when we adopted Western literary concepts and continues to exert a major influence today. The third stage is the "stage of humanistic literary concepts," which is a form of comprehensive thinking embedded in a new historical context. It draws on the practical achievements and theoretical strengths of the "stage of pure literature" while attempting to transcend the artificial mutilation of the natural coexistence of literature and culture during the process of "literary purification" by recognizing the vast and rich existence of human culture. This stage has just begun with the new century, although its influence is not yet as significant as the previous two stages, but it represents the direction of the development of new literary concepts that will determine the future of human cultural development. This is what I call the "Three Ages of Literature." In this view, the progress of literary concepts will inevitably prompt people to adopt a more tolerant, dialectical, and forward-looking perspective when considering the issue of highbrow and popular culture, with a view to fostering a healthy cultural ecosystem. Whether from the perspective of satisfying the narrative aesthetic psychology of a national culture or from the perspective of adapting to the multiple needs of urban citizen culture in the coming era, the development of modern popular fiction will bring us many positive insights. Rereading them cannot be seen as merely a pleasant cultural leisure activity, but rather as a culturally significant reflective practice. At this time, launching this series of "Chinese Popular Fiction" will undoubtedly make positive contributions to the construction of Chinese culture in the future.