Return to Practice Anthropology -- A New Interpretation of Marxist Literary and Art Theory

Author: Zeng Yongcheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-18
Features: As humanity enters the 21st century, Marxism has already gone through a half-century journey. In the new century, does Marxist literary theory still possess vigorous vitality? Should the ever-evolving arts continue to draw wisdom and strength from Marxist literary theory? If it remains necessary to adhere to and develop Marxist literary theory, what kind of Marxist literary theory should we uphold, and where should we establish the foundation for further development? To answer these questions, it is essential to conduct a serious and rigorous review of the long-popular interpretations of Marxism and its literary theory. In the new perspective, the political dimension of Marxist literature, which has long been a focal point and was severely criticized in the late 20th century, can naturally gain new recognition. In the practice-based anthropology of human emancipation, political emancipation is a necessary prerequisite for human emancipation, but it is not human emancipation itself. Examining politics from the perspective of the generation of human nature and human emancipation not only allows for a deeper understanding of the historical and anthropological connotations of politics but also further clarifies the aesthetic significance of political activities, enabling a proper approach to the role of politics in literature. At the same time, since political emancipation is not human emancipation, literature can and should examine politics from the perspective of the generation and emancipation of human nature, adopting an aesthetic viewpoint grounded in humanistic concern to elevate political emancipation toward the ultimate and goal of human emancipation. In such a new perspective, Marxist literary political theory will undoubtedly ascend to a new level.