Soil And Man: The Provence Of Jean Giono And The Xiangxi Of Shen Congwen

The native-soil literature first appears in the 1820s and 1830s. With the rapid development of industrialization and urbanization in the worldwide, more and more litterateurs, facing the worse urban living environment, turn the eyes on the village. On the soil where men were brought up for generations, is still soaking in the beauty of nature:green field, clear river, all kinds of animals, plowing and harvest, a picturesque scenery. This inspires the creation of literati. The native-soil novels marked with the descriptions of nature and hometown prosper. How is the relationship between man and nature reflected by the local works and how is the destiny of characters? What decides the fate of the characters? What is the opinion of the author in front of the nature? Are there some differences between Chinese literary works and western literary works who have different cultural environment?Jean Giono is a French native-soil writer. Shen Congwen is a Chinese native-soil writer. Do these two novelists of the 19th century with the similar experiences have the similar literary ideas? And what are their view of nature and the characters'fate? Jean Giono is called "un Virgil en prose" by Gide. In France, many studies, criticisms, and a research association are about Jean Giono. Shen Congwen in China is also the focus of many critics and scholars. Jeffrey C. Kinkley of the United States is the authority for the study of Shen Congwen. The native-soil novels become more and more popular, the study of these two writers will be more important.This thesis compares the two writers and their works. By the induction and deduction, it aims to explore:the relationship between man and nature, the fight of man and fate, the influence of cultural factors. The structure is as followed:Firstly, the definition of "native-soil literature", the proposition of the hypothesis; Secondly, the comparative study of the experience of the two writers, especially the attachment to the hometown. Thirdly, the comparative study of the main works of two writers, especially the study of the hometown, description of the concept about the nature and the destiny; Fourthly, conclusion.Though the two writers are far apart, their similar life experiences give them some similar literary ideas; We are where we live. For they live in the different cultural backgrounds, there also exists some concepts of great differences.