Human-centered Idea In Bakhtin's Theory Of Equal-dialogue And Carnival

Content: The theory of equal-dialogue and carnival by Bakhtin contains rich human-centered ideas. First, this article discussed the meanings of Bakhtin's theory of equal-dialogue and carnival, while giving some explanation to the theory. In Bakhtin's theory, he took human's life as a moving process involving continuously equal-dialogue and he also pointed out that value and meaning of human life lies in keeping communication with the others. Only in the process of dialogue and communication, human's ideas are kept innovated, can more and more life's truths come to human's minds, therefore, human's life is enriched and perfected. Bakhtin emphasized that there will be no equal social status, no same value and meaning of life for two humans if the dialogues between humans are autocratic, obedient and repressed, but not equal, independent and free. Meanwhile, the article explored the historical origin of Bakhtin's human-centered theory, and investigated the deep connection between his human-centered idea in the theory of dialogue and in the theory of carnival through Bakhtin's own academic experience. Furthermore, the article examined Bakhtin's human-centered idea from western human-centered historical traditional points of view, then come to a conclusion that Bakhtin inherited, developed and created the western human-centered theory. No doubt, Bakhtin absorbed the reasonable aspects from the western human-centered traditions, but more importantly, he created more. Bakhtin not only confirmed the independent value and meaning of human life, but also specially cherished the interaction between egos and the others, that is, the inseparable relationship of dialogue among human lives. Bakhtin's theory has changed the former one-sided understanding towards human and developed a mutual understanding idea. The article last explained the enlightening meanings and functions that Bakhtin's theory of dialogue and carnival and human-centered theory had played in the contemporary literature, the research of contemporary literature and humane science, method of thinking and human studies.