The Study Of Eagleton's Literature Theory

This article introduces Eagleton抯 literature theory as well as his aesthetic theory alone with analysis and comment about them. I think the most distinguished nature of Eagleton抯 literature theory is that his theory builds on a 搑evolutionary understanding of history? In the light of the 搑evolutionary understanding of history? Eagleton discusses literature both from production and from ideology, holds that literature works have politic nature as well as aesthetic nature, what抯 more, these two natures are merged together internally. Big difference exists between Eagleton抯 understanding of 搃deology? 損olitics~~, 損ower?and ours. Eagleton explains 搃deology?and 損olitics?through 損ower? 揚olitics?expresses power-relations while 搃deology?is the discourse, idea, signification practice and other things in consciousness field which have power. 揚ower?expresses the effect and anti-effect between economic base and supperstructure, so 損ower?exists widely. Eagleton抯 understanding of 損ower?has relation both to Foucault and to Marx. Eagleton considers 搇iterature?as a historical word. With the modernization of 搇iterature? 搇iterature?has been leaving further and further away from economic base and has become more 搒upper?in the society. 揕iterature?is nothing but caring for aesthetics. Actually modernized 搇iterature?become a bourgeois ideology just like 揳esthetics?in modem bourgeois society. Before the modernization began, literature and aesthetics had a direct relation with politics. Eagleton calls for 揹eath of literature?and 搕he backing of aesthetics?so as to fight against modern bourgeois state. Eagleton discusses 損roduction of text?from the intercourse between production and ideology. But he has more interest in the society production of literature works. However, it is not realistic that Eagleton want to give 損roduction of text?a totally materialistic explain. Actually Eagleton does抧 neglect 揳uthor? tenant?at all. He uses the word 揷omplex intercourse?to indicate that author is also an important factor in 損roduction of text? Eagleton抯 literature theory may be helpful in developing our literature theory, especially the method by which he discusses literature. He confirm to us that literature has politic character as well as aesthetic character and an intelletual should fight for good politics.