The Kindling Of Prometheus

For certain reasons, modern Chinese theory of literature and art is closely related to the Russian Empire's (or the Soviet Union's). Zhou Yang's reception of Chernychevsky is such an outstanding case. Zhou Yang made great effort to carry out the Chernychevsky aesthetics. Before the Marxism aesthetics is not pollinated into China completely, the Chernychevsky aesthetics exists as para-Marxism aesthetics. Chernychevsky's aesthetics thought, such as "Beauty is life", " To write the reality", "Literature and art is textbook of life" e.g., has a deep and long influence on Zhou Yang. And then, through Zhou Yang, it also influences China educational circles widely and deeply. Becawse of praised extremely by Zhou Yang and this kind of persons, the Chernychevsky aesthetics enjoys high prestige in China, nearly be mentioned in the same breath with the Marxism aesthetics. ZHOU Yang not only inherited the Chernychevsky aesthetics but also developed it, which influences the component and direction of modem China trend of thought in literature and art.This dissertation is divided into six chapters. The introduction gives a brief account of the significance and value on studying the relation between Zhou Yang and Chernychevsky, the present study situation, the study method and so on. The first chapter studies the basic connotation of the Chernychevsky aesthetics, clarifying it's value, significance and weak points. The second chapter is the process study of Zhou Yang receiving Chernychevsky aesthetics, discussing the characteristics of every process. The third discusses how and what Zhou Yang 's "To go deep into the realities of life' inherited and developed from the Chernychevsky's "Beauty is life". The fourth thinks Zhou Yang's thought of realistic literature is deeply influenced by Chernychevsky's "To write the reality" theory. And Zhou Yang's understanding on the "To write the reality" theory is a process from misunderstanding to returning. The fifth thinks the important influence of Chernychevsky aesthetics to Zhou Yang is the "Textbook" theory, which is highly praised by Zhou Yang, and influencing China literary and art circles deeply. The sixth is conclusion, whichmacroscopically discusses the concrete influence of Chernychevsky aesthetics to the 20th China aesthetics, and studies the fate Ml of twists and terns of Chernychevsky aesthetics in China.This dissertation concludes as fellows: 1) The relation between Zhou Yang and Chernychevsky is an outstanding case of modern Chinese theor of literature and art to the Russian Empire's (or the Soviet Union's). 2) Chemychevsky aesthetics lays a theory foundation for materialist aesthetics, which has great value and significance. We should not only highly praise it's value and significance, but also realize it's weak points. We shouldn't raise it's academic position blindly or praise it's academic value extremely. 3) Zhou Yang played a important role on laying a foundation for Cheraychevsky's academic position and influence, but because of his utility gain, Zhou Yang often misunderstand Chernychevsky aesthetics purposely or unwittingly. 4) Chernychevsky's aesthetics thought, such as "Beauty is life", " To write the feality", "Literature and art is textbook of life" e.g., has a deep and long influence on Zhou Yang. In facf, these thoughts become a component of Zhou Yang's Marxism thought of literature and apt, and through Zhou Yang, they take part in the developing process of Chinese Marxism thought of literature and art, and then become a component of it. Although the proportion maybe is very small, it exists in fact.