Shen Congwen's Literary Choice In The 1940s

Shen Congwen's literary choice in the 1940s is unique in the history of modern literature. His eventual diversion is closely related to his exploration in the 1940s. To study Shen Congwen's unique literary choices in 1940s is helpful to restore Shen Congwen's true existence and the true face of whole literary history of the 1940s.There exists a process in Shen Congwen's literary selection of the 1940s. "Xiangxi" and "Long River" begin to appear subtle changes and bring him into a predicament. The following philosophy essays, literary theories and other types of literature, are witnessing his struggle and efforts. But, due to internal and external factors, his efforts don't lead to success. Eventually, he reluctantly admits his defeats in "Rainbow Bridge".The first chapter, taking "Xiangxi" and "Long River" as examples, reveals phenomenon and reasons of the gradual fading of Shen Congwen's Native Pastoral Sentiment, and the process that Shen Congwen's exploration of life is diverted to abstract form by the changes.The second chapter especially analyzes his inner contradictions in wartime under special circumstances and the thinking of life.The third chapter studies Shen Congwen's articles of the 1940s'and published letters including some parts of "Feiyou Cundi" and the "family Letter", and discuss his thinking on the nation's way-out, including aspects on politics, culture, belief and so on. The fourth chapter analyzes that the 1946 writing "Rainbow Bridge" symbolizes his failure in exploration in a sense, and indicates that his eventual diverting is not at a sudden under political pressures.The fifth chapter mainly analyzes the background and the reasons of his formation of literature choices. This chapter also explains the significance of his choice in the history of literature.