On The Classicism Trend In Chinese Modern Literature

Nowadays, the study on the Classicism trend in Chinese modern literature is still on its beginning stage. Theoretical argument mainly lies in the definition of classicism and classification of corresponding literary phenomenon.The term Classicism used in the thesis refers to the thought trend of Classicism, led by Mei Guangdi, Xueheng School, and Xinyue School, which is constructed on the theory of Neo-Humanism of Irving Babbitt and combined with Chinese traditional Literature thought. The inner nature of the trend of Classicism contains: 1) Questionable attitude towards the modernity of history; argument against both Baconianism which boasts of the conquer of the nature, and Romanticism of Rousseau which boasts of the encouragement of feeling and emotion; believing in the universal and lasting values, objection against the view of progressivism. 2) Favoring the World-Saving doctrine of the Neo-Humanism, and reason which encourages the doctrine of the mean and inner-check, maintaining the humanist standards in terms of principles and regulations. 3) Taking the classical literature as ideal, and its literary principles which are constructed on the classical aesthetic theory which is characterized by harmony, balance and procedures.Because the nature of the Classicism belongs cultural conservatism and aims to criticize historical modernity, it has always been on the opposite side against the mainstream literature since it began in China, first it was conflicted with the tendency of modernity encouraged by the May 4th Literature, then it was brought into collision with the Left-wing Literature which radically required revolution later. We can say that the development of the trend of Chinese Classicism is a history of argument and criticism against the mainstream literature.The thesis consists of three parts in accordance to the development of the trend of Chinese Classicism.The first chapter: beginning of the trend– automatic resistance inspired by the traditional literary views. The essential event in this part was the argument between Mei Guangdi and Hu Shi in 1915– 1917. This phase features: looking for resources from the Neo-Humanism, and arguing against the Hu Shi, with encouragement of the doctrine of the mean and inner-check, and the universal and lasting value of the traditional literature.The second chapter: Development– Tragedy caused by the Adoption of the Cultural Conservatism of Neo-Humanism. In this phase Xueheng School was the main classical characters. Basing on the New-Humanism, they explanated Chinese traditional literature, criticized the The May 4 th New Culture Movement from all sides and established a set of Classicism Law, which happened in January 1922– December 1926. The established literary theory of the Classicism seemed a kind of complete adoption of the theory of Irving Babbitt, and was lack of the verification of literary works. Meanwhile, the phase strongly encouraged the usage of ancient Chinese genre and moral criticism, which led to the failure of the spread of Classic thoughts.The third chapter: Climax– establishment of theoretical system, practical literary criticism and writing. In April 1926– December 1931, a group of young writers of the New Literature camp, Liang Shiqiu, Wen Yiduo, Xu Zhimo, Zhu Xiang and Rao Mengkan and so on, formed Xinyue School. They accepted the Neo-Humanism under the influence of Liang Shiqiu, published a large amount of articles to criticize the May 4th Literature and the Left Wing's literature, and established the complete theory system of Classicism. The School of Classic Poetic Composition was established by Wen Yiduo, Xu Zhimo and Zhu Xiang, which was the achievement of the literary practice. Xinyue School pushed the thought trend of Chinese Classicism to the climax.