Dead Human And Living Ghost

Different cultures usually give birth to different literary masters, among whom American writer William Faulkner and Chinese writer Pu Song-ling are the most prominent ones. They are honorable successors of"American Gothic novel"and"Chinese Zhi Guai fiction"respectively. In their writings, they take their living environments as writing background, creating marvelous short stories. Their excellent artistic skills and aesthetic interests are fully proved in their depicting characters and narrating stories. Their splendid narrative effects are closely related to their delicate plot, vivid language, and unexpected suspense and special settings. The thesis will explore some similarities and differences in their writing backgrounds, plots, and narrative techniques and language based on their representative works, Faulkner's A Rose for Emily and Pu Song-ling's Liao Zhai Tales, to further demonstrate the artistic and aesthetic features of both works.