Research On Evolution Of Xu Xu’s Novel Writing Style

In the history of modern Chinese literature, Xu Xu is a unique writer. Duringnearly half a century’s writing career, his novels are caught warm attention. As arepresentative of the “late Romantic”, he greatly emphasize on the feeling of theindividual and the pursuit of life existing form. This study is from the perspective ofthe evolution of Xu Xu’ novel writing style to discuss the creation of his novels, toreveal the writer’s mind changes implied behind the evolution and the changes of theliterary trends, so as to discuss its literary value, significance and his position in thehistory of Chinese literature fairly and objectively.This thesis makes Xu Xu’s life experiences and social background as a clue, thetime as the main line, the works as examples to divide Xu Xu’s novel creation intothree periods, and discusses the reasons of novel writing style changes according tochapters, focusing on the analysis of this period’s style. The first period of Xu Xu’snovel creation (before returning to China in1938): the thesis discusses the initialformation of his novel writing style which is mainly influenced by the familyenvironment and educational backgrounds accepted in Western culture. The novelsare characterized by romance, legend, and strange pursuing for the individual freedomof life. The second period is from his returning to China in1938to1950. During thisperiod because of the outbreak of the war and the development of popular fiction, XuXu’s novel creation becomes complicated, in which idealism, realism and pessimismare integrated together. The main reason of this situation is that he encounteredconfusion during this period. In order to cater to the tastes of the public, the quiet ofthe study and the bustle of the road contribute to the confluence and perforation of thetastes of refinement and popularity. He,Wu Mingshi and Zhang Ailing collaborativelyconstitute the historical classics of the combination of refined and popular tastes ofChinese literature in the1940s, which puts an end to the confrontation between theRefined Literature and the Popular Literature, and makes the literary to diversification.The third period is from his going to Hong Kong to his death in1980. Because of thefounding of New China, the mainland’s writing environment has changed. Manywriters began to differentiate and look for a way out separately. After carefulconsideration, Xu Xu decided to go to Hong Kong where it has spiritual freedom. But Hong Kong did not reach the state he expected, he began to miss his homeland wherehe cannot go back. So his novel creation changed from city to countryside. At lastwent to religion to get the detachment of life and soul, so as to achieve the ultimatecare for life.In the upheaval20th century, Xu Xu always adhered to the creation standpoint ofindividualism and liberalism, and straightened the relationship between utilitarianvalue and aesthetic value of literature. He did not attach to any political parties anddoctrine and always considered literature’s freedom and independence as the aestheticgoal he pursude. His prolific creation achievements contributed unique aesthetic textswhich were beyond reality and political utilitarian to20th century’s literature, whichwas of great significance for the history of China literature in the twentieth century.