Camus's Influence On Chinese Literature Since The New Period

As one of the most important writers in twentieth century,Camus has great influence in the whole world.Since the late 1970s,as a part of the western modernist literature trend,Camus and his philosophy came into Chinese mainland,and be known by many readers with Existentialism.His thoughts and works subtly influenced many young people's world view,promoted the formation of Chinese enlightenment thoughts in 1980s.He also deeply influenced many Chinese writers and literary critics,and played an important role in the development of Chinese new period literature.This paper will review the translation and reception situation of Camus's thoughts and works in China,then analysis Camus's influence on this basis.Firstly,Camus has influenced the topics and themes of the new period novels.His ideas of "Absurd" and "Resistance" are the most widely accepted two themes by Chinese readers.They deeply influenced Chinese literary creation and criticism.In the aspect of literary creation,many writers in the new period accepted Camus's Absurd idea and expressed it in their works,even formed Chinese own "absurd literature".His Resistance idea also influenced some writers such as Shi Tiesheng,Yu Hua and so on,but this influence was not that widely.In the aspect of literary criticism,Absurd and Resistance became new theoretical resources.Critics started to use these two theories to comment and study Chinese writers and their works.Secondly,the art forms of Camus's works also influenced Chinese writers through both direct and indirect ways.The objective and indifferent style of the outsider exerted a great influence.On one hand,new period writers praised highly and used this style in their own works directly.On the other hand,by influencing Roland Barthes and Nouveau Roman,the style of the outsider also had indirect influence on Chinese new period literature.Camus's philosophical prose like the Myth of Sisyphus inspired Chinese writers to incorporated philosophical thinking into their works.Shi Tiesheng even formed his unique "Philosophical Style" under Camus's influence.Finally,the conclusion part will briefly introduce several aspects of Camus's thoughts.They have great value of reality inspiration but have not received enough attention in China yet.In recent years,Camus has more readers in China.The translation of his works is getting more comprehensive,and the study is more deeply.Camus's biographies and photo gallery are published one after another.A multiple interpretation space about him is forming.Camus certainly will exert a more profound influence on Chinese readers and thoughts.So the study of his previous influence would have practical significance and reference value.