Hu Shi's Rewriting And The Establishment Of Democracy In New Culture Movement

Under the guidance of rewriting theory, this study re-examines and analyses Hu Shi's most influential publications during the New Culture Movement (1915-1923), which can be studied as rewritings, translation in a broad sense, say, by Lefevere's classification. By putting Hu's works in certain context, the paper also will show how ideology and patronage function in the operation and reception of Hu's rewritings. The analysis makes conclusion that various kinds of rewritings contributed much to the revolution of Chinese literature and society, in which Hu Shi's contribution was most influential. The concept of rewriting could help understand Hu Shi's case.Being a cultural icon in 20th century in Chinese history, and a versatile and prolific scholar, Hu Shi had extensively and appropriately been the subject to a variety of researches both within and outside China. However, it seems that the translational dimension of Hu's works does not own an adequate account of attention in existing studies. It's a pity to ignore Hu's translation which actually is the most important impetus in shaping his significant contribution to the New Culture Movement. Thus, in order to make effort to fill this important gap this study will analyze context and text of Hu Shi's major publications in this period to demonstrate how Hu rewrote foreign theories and works and why his works became influential in the evolution of the literature and culture.This thesis attempts to convince that in order to bring in the spirit of democracy, Hu Shi translated western ideologies and poetics to influence literary and then, social reform in China. This practice can be best understood through rewriting theory. The analysis of Eight Don'ts and Ibsenism, Hu Shi's two important rewritings will help answer the question such as, how he rewrote them and how his rewritings reinforce the establishment of democracy in China.