The Comparison Of Absurd Literature Between China And The Western Countries

Literature of Western absurd started from the time of existentialism’s flourishing. Itlaid an important position in literature for the sake of Kafka and Camus. And when itarrived in the United States, it did so much for school of black humor novels. Literatureof Chinese absurd derived from western modern thought. Chinese writers explored on awide range for absurd literature and write a number of outstanding works.In the first part of this article, the origin and concept definition of absurdity will bediscussed. We discussed the process of absurdity’s development, which began from thebasic terminology of literary themes and ended when it becoming the realm ofphilosophical understanding. We also classify various definitions and release our ownopinion. Then we try to explore the causes of absurdity’s prosperity in western countriesand China in the context of society, history, philosophy and culture.The second part of this article compares the same and different characteristics ofwestern and Chinese absurd literature from the perspectives of value orientation andscope. Then the cause of their characters is explored from the perspective of receptiveaesthetics and cultural prototype. The common characteristics of western and Chineseabsurd literature are their sentiment of ultimate concern and compassion for human’sdestination. However, because of ancient Greece’s great influence, western world hasbeen adhering to the dialectical spirit and is good at purely metaphysical-philosophicalthinking which is clearly reflected in foreign writers’ works. On the other hand Chineseintellectuals maintained a strong spirit of practical reason, which resulted in their valuesare different from western world. Western Absurd literature focused on the destination ofall human, and they written for absurd situations encountered by any person. WhileChinese absurd literature focus on local social reality, and had the culture shadow ofChinese traditional characteristics.The third part of this article compares western and Chinese absurd literature fromthe perspective of art type. In this part means of expression and art will be compared.Traditional Chinese culture is different to the West. And the connection to westernliterary theory and practice is also limited. So it is meaningful to compare them in termsof narrative language, plot and characterization.