The Comparison Between The May 4^th Literature And New Period Literature From The Perspective Of Modernity

This thesis employs the concept of "Individual" as the starting point and applies both the"external principle"and"internal principle"to examine the modernity from the viewpoint oflogic. This thesis assumes that the advancement of human civilization is directional, purposefuland inevitable which is presented by the fact that individual has redefined their existences whichdiverted from believing in the theories proposed by ancient intellectual to believing in humanitself. Therefore, Individual possess the absolute right but still have the ability to be responsiblefor oneself that is shown by the individual principle and modern ethic which is compose offreedom, equality and fraternity. It stands for the connotation of modernity. The modern structurecan be defined in two levels which contain the subjective and objective level. The objective levelincludes pattern transformation of state pattern, economic system, legal system and state pattern.The objective mainly refers to the structural variation of spiritual disposition. The process ofmodernity reflects the progress of constructing the individual or individual enlightmnet whichlay more emphasis on the direction of constructing and the content of individuality. However, thetransformation of spiritual disposition from the external principle to internal principle hasapproved this standpoint.Chapter one and two analyze in details the transformation of spiritual disposition ofChinese nation undergone in two periods varying from the external principle to internal principlewhich employs the works selected from the The May 4th Literature and New Period Literature.To be more specific, The May 4th Literature construct the concept of"Individual"from the frontand back side as well as shaping the"individual". This indicates the early birth of"individual".The rebirth of"individual"delineate the exploring the meaning of individual existence andincomplete returning of humanism in the New Period Literature.Chapter three make a comparative analysis between the living of"individual"and thedie out of"individual"concerning on the aspects of causes and nature; then it draws out thatChina's modernity lays on an unstable basis. It adopts a way of preaching and normalizing toguide a newly appeared national disposition which gives rise to the modern spirits stays on theface level rather than deep into the peoples'minds and results in the incomplete application ofinternal principle either in the May 4th period or in the New period. Eventually, it concludes that China's modernityis an unaccomplished mission.