Witchcraft and Humanities (Shen Congwen and Witchcraft Culture)

Author: Zhou Renzheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-01
Features: This book employs the methods of literary and cultural studies to delve into the relationship between the Wu Chu culture and Shen Congwen's creative works. It argues that as a form of primitive fetishism, Wu Chu culture profoundly influenced Shen Congwen's creative philosophy and cultural concepts by advocating for harmony between humans and nature, revering natural human life forms and their emotional essence. This gave his works the ideological characteristics of a "natural fetishism." This is a modern aesthetic idealism that embodies reverence for nature, admiration for emotions, opposition to utilitarianism, and pursuit of purity and transcendence. The introduction provides a historical analysis of the relationship between Wu Chu culture and Shen Congwen's creative works, while chapters 1 to 5 meticulously dissect the cultural and philosophical implications of his thoughts and creations from perspectives such as nature, "gods," humans, history, humanities, and modern society. The conclusion offers a fundamental summary of Shen Congwen's historical contributions and contemporary significance.