Self-discipline and External Discipline (Some Theoretical Issues in the Debates of Contemporary Chinese Literature)

Author: Qian Zhongwen, Liu Fangxi, Wu Zilin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-11-01
Features: This book primarily addresses a long-standing issue in China's literary theory circles over nearly a century, conducting preliminary clarification and exploration. Due to the vast number of issues, the book selects only those closely related to current literary theory development for research. These include long-standing debates on literary concepts, the tradition and inheritance of poetry, as well as the (struggle between refinement and popular culture). There are also recent controversies such as language versus images, the world versus the nation, and literary theory versus "cultural studies." The book combines historical analysis with theoretical discussion, grounded in extensive historical materials, to describe the cultural and historical origins of the issues raised. At the same time, it focuses on theoretical interpretation, within the context of current global cultural development, guided by the demand for modern cultural construction. It weaves through the ideas of literary autonomy and heteronomy, as well as their coordination, discoordination, and even transgression, to offer new interpretations of the issues, express the authors' perspectives and insights, and describe certain new developments and trends in literary theory, thereby contributing to the advancement of current literary theory.