An Analysis Of The Six Influential Factors On Shen Cong-wen's Literary Production

It is argued that the distinction between modern literature and classical literature lies not only in time space, but also in their remarkable differences of ideology ,aesthetic appreciation ,and language devices. Modern literature is the product of China's modernization, the nature of which is distinguished from classical literature in production and spread. The transition from Chinese traditional literature to that of modern literature can much be reflected by the growth of the writer Shen Cong-wen. In other words, for the development of Chinese modern literature, those influencing intrinsic elements on Shen Cong-wen 's growth are the crucial. Therefore, only by examining Shen Cong-wen's writing in the context of the evolving of modern literature and by analyzing those new factors that affect the development of modern literature, can the meaning of Shen Cong-wen's success and failure be demonstrated.This dissertation reviews some six factors like localism, urbanism, publication, university, femaleness, and politics which have had impact on Shen Cong-wen's production. Of these factors, urbanism, publication and university are new but important ones, whereas localism, femaleness, and politics are traditional but having deeper connotation.Chapter One discusses the relationship between locality and its influence on his production, ranging from his first piece of writing in 1924 to his giving up writing in 1949. In the perspective of locality, it can be roughly divided into three phases: (1) Phase â…  (1924-1927) provides a kind of raw material called "Antitype Xiangxi" ;(2) Phase â…¡ (1928-1936) discusses a fundamental shift from his narrating himself to his examining the western part of Hunan province in the perspective of cultural comparison. This phase is called "Cultural Xiangxi" since he critically invented "A World of Xiangxi" in his writings according to his understanding of life and his pursuit of idealized humanness.(3) Phase â…¢ (1937-1949) is called "Historical Xiangxi" since he began to examine "Xiangxi" historically; In his writings in this period, he considered "Xiangxi" as a kind of historical text diagnosing the roots of national culture and seeking the way out.Chapter Two analyzes Shen Cong-wen's development in his literary production. At the earlier times of 1920s, duo to the polarization of the May 4^th neo-cultural groups, a diversified cultural space was formed in Beijing. As a consequence, this created a valuable development space for Shen Cong-wen at the start. Later on, with the help of Xu Zhi-mo, he got an initial success. The end of 1920s witnessed the neo-culture center being shifted from Beijing to Shanghai, where Shen Cong-wen was best showing his potential in literature exploration and becoming skillful in his writing. At 1933, Shen Cong-wen returned back Beijing where he chanced to play the role of facilitator in "Beijing Faction "group which encouraged him spiritually. It was at this phase that he continued to have his writings published among which there included his masterpiece.By analyzing contributors, editors and operators, Chapter Three discusses the publication of modern media and its influences on Shen Cong-wen. Although "The Morning Post Supplement "provided great help for the success of his initial writings at the earlier stages of 1920s, the transition to commercialization at the end of 1920s was the real element that changed his attitudes on writing. It was the commercialization, market-driven literature and the consideration of the readers that changed Shen Cong-wen from writing for himself to writing for readers. Meanwhile, the competition between the publishing houses/companies formed a kind of free and diversified cultural space. All these provided a broader perspective for his developmental route in writing. For instance, in 1930s and 1940s, Shen Cong-wen once worked as the chief-editor to the literature and arts supplement of some outstanding newspapers. By running these supplements, he not only transmitted his ideas on literary writing, but also fostered a number of young...