Modernity Of The Theory Of The Novel Of Late Qing Dynasty

Modernity is a vogue word today in theoretical circle. As it concerns politics, economy and culture of a society, it comes to attract the attention of literary research. To carry out researches on Chinese modern literature or the 20th century literature from the perspective of modernity not only breaks through the old model, but connects the literary researches of the late Qing Dynasty, which is segregated for so long, with the modern literary research, which starts from the May 4th Movement. It is widely accepted in educational circle that the late Qing Dynasty is the starting point of modernity. It is from the late Qing to the May 4th Movement that novels take tremendous changes, finishing the transition from classic to modern genre. In this process, the theory of novel plays a vital role. However, the novel theory of the late Qing Dynasty receives little awareness. Researchers tend to confine this period to near modern literature and emphasize the significance or value of its thoughts and ideology. The novel theory of the late Qing Dynasty lacks the exploration and analysis from the perspective of modernity, which provides the feasibility and necessity of this dissertation.First, this thesis clarifies some relevant concepts. Owing to the indeterminacy and multi-meanings to modernity, this paper proposes that it be unnecessary to adhere to the exact meaning of modernity rigidly, but to specify the meaning of it in a specific situation with the help of some common senses. In the light of this, the modernity, in effect, involves enlightenment and aesthetic modernity. This paper analyzes the alteration of the ideology of the late Qing Dynasty, with the following two points involved: first, a novel theory whose theme is on the basis of enlightenment and civilized citizens. This theory pursues a gorgeous modernization of enlightenment. Its understanding to the art of novel is subordinate to enlightenment. Yanfu, Xia Zengyou, Liang Qichao etc. are the representatives of it. Next concerns the pursuit of modern aesthetics of the theory of novel, which includes such great minds as Huang Ren, Huang Shizhong, Xu Nianci etc.. They attacked the enlightenment of novel, while sought for the establishment of novel itself. It also includes Wang Guowei's newly-established aesthetic notion of novel, which emphasizes the independent aesthetic value of novel under the influence of the western theories.Second, this paper assumes that the transition of the late Qing in terms of concept, form and varied exploration of different research methods can also be treated as an important demonstration of modernity. The criticism of the late Qing Dynasty abounds in book views, which realize the innovation of conception and category via the thoughts of western society. Liang Qichao, Wang Guowei, Xu Nianci etc. made great breakthroughs in the research methods, which demonstrate sharp contrasts with the traditional ways. Modernity is highlighted in the comparison between China and the west, the ancient time and the modern world.