Criticizing On Prof. Stephen Owen's Chinese Literature Interpretation And Thinking

Prof. Stephen Owen's study of Chinese literature shows his main understanding and thinking about literature. Instead of regarding literature as something intended to civilize people, Stephen Owen believes that literature will destroy the virtue and moral principles since the texts contain attraction and enticement which will arouse people's rebelliousness. Stephen Owen believes that the literature will arouse and suppress the desire coming from the author at the same time, so that the desire can be controlled by reason.As to the study of the authors, Prof. Stephen Owen holds that what a poetry concerns is the poet himself, who is the complex of contradictions under the surface of gentleness. Besides, the other kinds of autobiographical works can also show the ego and intentions of the authors.Prof. Stephen Owen points out that during the process of studying Chinese literature, the relationship between text and historical context should be considered anew. The historical context connected with the literature does not equal to the real history itself. And when explained, the state of history should be described as"may be", rather than" definitely be". Prof. Stephen Owen attempts to return the historical context and interpret the texts in words system. And he also try to explore the reason of the declination of poem during the Qing dynasty based on the historical context theory.Prof. Stephen Owen also shows his view on the history of Chinese literature which is already in existence and how to rewrite it. He also advances his opinions on the establishment of classical orthodox, the writing and uncertainty of early texts, the stages of the history of literature, the question of whether the history of literature should be written in a genre order, and so on. Prof. Stephen Owen's study shows an orientation of anti-essentialism.