Exploration Between Tradition and Reality - A Study of Wu Jianren's Novels

Author: Hu Quan Zhang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: The research approach of this book is to place Wu Jianren's novels within the specific historical context of the late Qing social and cultural transformation, studying them as a whole. First, it examines the unique social and cultural environment of late Qing Shanghai's concessions and Wu Jianren's social and cultural roles as a journalist and professional novelist, as well as his passionate social sentiments, providing necessary background knowledge for the study of Wu Jianren's novels. Then, it explores the multi-layered thematic implications of Wu Jianren's novels from three levels: realistic critique, moral salvation, and utopian ideals. It delves into the value foundations behind the realistic critique theme, investigates the specific connotations of traditional morality that guide his novel writing, and, through an examination of the utopian theme, which has not been sufficiently emphasized by previous researchers, strives to comprehensively, dimensionally, and objectively uncover the intellectual depth embedded in Wu Jianren's novels. Subsequently, it conducts both vertical and horizontal analyses of his texts. In this way, we can achieve a historical positioning of Wu Jianren's novels, which exist in a transitional state between tradition and modernity.