Ghost Love

Author: Xu Hu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: From ancient times to the present, the development of literary concepts in Chinese literature has taken three steps. The first step is the era of "" (heterogeneous literary concept), characterized by the mixture of literature and history, and the parallel development of literary style. It spans a long historical period. The second step is the era of "" (pure literary concept), with its core being the recognition of the independent value of literature. This era began with our acceptance of Western literary concepts in the early 20th century and continues to exert a major influence today. The third step is the era of "" (humanities literary concept), a form that embodies comprehensive thinking at a new historical height. It draws on the practical results and theoretical strengths of the "" concept 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 era has just begun with the new century, although its influence is not yet as significant as the previous two, it represents the new direction of the development of literary concepts in human cultural progress. This is what I call the "Literary Three Ages Theory." According to this concept, the advancement of literary ideas will inevitably prompt people to adopt a more tolerant, dialectical, and forward-looking perspective when considering the issue of highbrow and popular culture, fostering a benign 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 should not be seen merely as a pleasant cultural leisure activity but as a culturally meaningful reflective process. At this time, launching this series of "Chinese Popular Fiction" will undoubtedly make positive contributions to the future development of Chinese culture.