The Evolution Of The Plot In Western Novels

The concept "plot" is a product of western literary theory, which has received broad attention of the scholars in this field. The "plot" of the novel exists as the pattern features in the traditional idea. As the aesthetic and literary proposition, the growth and development of the "plot" have loaded the historical connotation of the social reform. With the development of the society and the literature itself, the connotation of "plot" and its status in the western novels have always been changing. Making a comprehensive survey on the western novels, the developing process of the "plot" is full of ups and downs. Creative practice of the western writers has portrayed different attitudes towards plot in different times. Therefore, it's necessary to have a systematic analysis on the development of the plot in the western novels, and pay close attention to the progress of the plot-design. Starting from the replacement of content, changes of writers' psychology, and varieties of readers' interests, this thesis attempts to get an objective understanding for this literary-cultural phenomenon. It is expected to provide with salutary lessons and helpful instructions for Chinese readers, and it is supposed to be a supplement in enriching the studies on the plot aesthetics.The thesis consists of four parts. The first part is an introduction which is mainly concerned with the rationale and purpose of the study. Two parts are involved in the main body of the thesis. One part deals with the matters of plot and traditional plot. Proceeding from Aristotle's concept of the plot in poetics, it discusses the matters regarding the traditional concepts of plot as well as the relations and distinctions between the fiction plot and the reality. Thus, it paves the way for the discussion in the next part which is regarding to the plot in western novels. Following the sequence of pre-modern novel—modern novel—post-modern novel, it reveals the existing condition of plot in western novels, and explores the connotation of plot and the reason for its status change. The last part is the conclusion. It summarizes the significance of literary-cultural phenomenon—evolution of the plot in western novels, and indicates that the occurrence of this phenomenon is not only the result of the historical development but also the result of literary development.