| During the historical transformation of Chinese modern society, Shen Congwen literary theory demonstrated distinctive modern characteristics, which makes great contribution to the construction of Chinese modern literary theory. However, due to various reasons, most in-depth studies were focused more on Shen Congwen's literary works than on his literary theory. Therefore, studies on Shen Congwen literary theory were usually conducted based on his works and were given the title as"literary viewpoint"or"literary thought", etc. Studies on Shen Congwen literary theory is not apart from Shen Congwen study yet. Starting with the definition explanation of modernity, Chinese modernity and Chinese literary theory modernity, this dissertation explores Shen Congwen theory's modern character from the perspectives of enlightenment modernity and aesthetic modernity, which is based on Shen Congwen's literary theory text. Furthermore, it discusses its enlightenment and significance to the building of Chinese modern literary theory.The dissertation consists of four parts: part one puts forward the issue of Shen Congwen literary theory modernity; part two and three expound characters of Shen Congwen literary theory enlightenment modernity and aesthetic modernity; part four explores Shen Congwen's enlightenment and significance to Chinese literary theory modernity.With a clear conception of the modernity traits of Chinese literary theory, this dissertation elaborates on the modernity characteristics of Shen's literary theory,in the context of Chinese modernity so as to investigate the enlightenment significance Shen Congwen manifested in Chinese literary theory modernity.Through the research on modernity, characteristics of Chinese modernity can be affirmed. In the particular cultural context of Chinese modernity, the modernity of Chinese literary theory is a theoretical response to Chinese culture reality as well as the modern transformation of the traditional cultural resources and indigenization of the western literary trend. In other words, the modernity characteristic of Chinese literary theory performs both as enlightenment modernity and aesthetic modernity. Shen Congwen built his standpoints within such historical and theoretical background, moreover, his unique ways of expressing theory also helps to present spectacular modern characteristics.As for Chinese modernity, new literature (including new literary theory) modernity characters presented more identifying than opposing. Therefore, enlightenment modernity, which will enlighten the future Chinese literature, will inevitably be the most important characteristic of Chinese literature and literary theory. Characteristics of Shen Congwen literary theory's enlightenment modernity shown as follows: first, Shen Congwen became aware of new literature revolution is consistent with new social cultural value transmission. New literature has revolutionary significance to feudal literature, and the replacement of classical Chinese with vernacular Chinese is more than innovation of language; but innovation of new knowledge values. Secondly, Shen Congwen aware of that new literature development is consistent with nation-state reinvigorating. Nation-state's appeal or nation spirit rebuilding is not only a historical responsibility for new literature sponsors, but also the content and theme of new literature creations. Thirdly, Shen Congwen aware of that new literature improvement is consistent with rebuilding contemporary personality. New literature should mold rational anti-feudalism subject, practical anti-recreation subject, and free anti-dependent and critical subject.Shen Congwen disapproved the idea that literature should distort itself to cater for the business and political ideologies. In contrary, through fighting against literature politicalization and commercialization, he advocated the independence of literature and art. Furthermore, he explained and protected self-discipline character of literature and art in the way of emphasizing literature aesthetic form, whereas, emphasis of the aesthetic independence and aesthetic forms finally falls onto the aesthetic of human life. In other words, the issue of aesthetic and life are combined in this way, and life salvation is obtained through ways of aesthetic. He advocated"divine nature"of aesthetic idealism to deny phenomena of realistic secular survival, philistine and mammonism, and in this way to achieve the ideal of aesthetical survival.Shen Congwen manifested his enlightenment significance to Chinese literary theory modernity in several dimensions. Firstly, due to Chinese particular historical language context and epoch mission, western modern thoughts must be indigenized when they come into Chinese modern literary theory. The most dominant feature to the indigenization is that when the aesthetic modernity of anti-enlightenment rational was brought into the field of enlightenment, independent spirit and non-utilitarianism of literature aesthetic were endowed with utility color. Secondly, traditional thoughts and culture are also involved in the modernity building of Chinese literary theory, so the modern transformation of traditional cultural resources gains Chinese literary theory the character of universalism as well as distinctive national character.Shen Congwen literary theory demonstrated distinctive modern character in the process of Chinese modern society transformation, and it should be cherished as a precious legacy of thought. |
