Network Literature's Extension Of Literariness

Based on the analysis of the historical connotations of literariness and characteristics of network literature, this paper discovers the two deficiencies of the traditional literariness theory: regarding classic literature as the fundamental materials while excluding mass literature; holding elitism while rejecting mass aesthetic taste. The traditional concept of literariness should be reflected in the field of network literature. Network literature has provided successful examples for the practice of literary activities. From the point of view of the whole process of literary activities, network literature has the space to perfect literariness: first, from the reader's level, reading changes into exchanges, and literariness is no longer the invention of the writer, but an art accomplished through the exchanges between the writer and the reader; second, from life's level, aesthetics changes into consumption. Literariness becomes the conspirator to inspire consumption; third, from the work's level, meaning changes into brag. The lofty aesthetical literariness is ruthlessly deconstructed into reasonless humour which despises authority and mocks life; fourth, from the writer's level, writing changes into games. The humane value of literature is replaced by games, and literariness becomes a more pure form. Literariness in the field of network literature is a representative process co-accomplished by the reader and the writer with game experience as the aim in the specific language creative activity. This kind of new literariness is formed under the influence of mass psychology and literary ecology.