History of Modern Chinese Literary Criticism (Peking University Series of Chinese Language and Literature Textbooks)

Author: Wen Rumin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1993-10-16
Features: The goal of this book is not to provide a panoramic scan of the detailed landscape of the history of modern Chinese literary criticism, but to focus on showcasing some of the most important "landmarks" in the history of criticism. It selectively discusses and evaluates 14 representative critics and related critical schools, thereby offering an overview of the contours of modern critical history. The selection of these 14 critics was carefully considered. Many people engaged in criticism in modern times, but most were not critics in the pure sense. Some wrote numerous book reviews to explain works, while others expressed various opinions to participate in debates. However, most regarded criticism as an independent theoretical creation, and such critics are extremely rare. The selection of 14 critics may have taken into account the broader context, considering the dozens or hundreds of other critics around them, which involves the issue of determining "key points." Each discussion of a critic in the book takes into account its "position" in the overall critical framework. Where exactly does it stand in the history of criticism, and what is its relationship with other critical tendencies and schools? Etc. The critics discussed in this book are not arranged strictly in historical order, but the overall flow of the critical history can still be discerned, especially the strengths and weaknesses of each school of criticism, as well as their relationships of opposition, complementarity, and cyclical structures. The goal of this book is not to provide a panoramic scan of the detailed landscape of the history of modern Chinese literary criticism, but to focus on showcasing some of the most important "landmarks" in the history of criticism. It selectively discusses and evaluates 14 representative critics and related critical schools, thereby offering an overview of the contours of modern critical history. The history of criticism is not the same as the history of literature, nor is it the same as the history of thought, although they are related. The history of criticism should have its own research perspective. It focuses on the cognitive activities and processes of literature, as well as the continuous interpretation and exploration of the essence of literature, literary development, and literary creation. This book selects 14 representative critics and related critical schools from the history of modern Chinese literary criticism: Wang Guowei, Zhou Zuoren, Cheng Fangwu, Liang Shiqiu, Mao Dun, Li Jianwu, Feng Xuefeng, Zhou Yang, Hu Feng, Zhu Guangqian, Shen Congwen, Li Changzhi, Liang Zongdai, and Tang Shi. Through a meticulous and rational analysis of their theoretical individuality, critical characteristics, and their actual impact on literary movements and creation, as well as a description of the strengths and weaknesses of each school of criticism and their relationships of opposition, complementarity, and cyclical structures, it outlines the trajectory of the pluralistic, competitive, and complementary history of modern Chinese literary criticism.