The formation of ancient Chinese literary critical theory was deeply rooted in the abundant creative output of ancient literature, serving as a catalyst for the advancement of literary endeavours from that era. In contrast to Western literary traditions, Eastern literary expressions are distinguished by their literary heritage and spiritual depth. Literary criticism, as a methodological approach, involves the examination, analysis and interpretation of literary works, authors and thematic elements through a societal lens. The crux of social criticism in Chinese literary circles lies in its intrinsic societal value, serving as a key metric for assessing the value of critical discourse. This approach prioritises addressing societal issues through a nuanced critique that evaluates the role of literary creation, ideological underpinnings in literature, and the engagement of literary phenomena within the broader societal framework. Against the backdrop of cultural collisions between East and West and the evolution of literature across different epochs and regions, Chinese literature draws inspiration from the zeitgeist of the time. Central to this discourse are themes of independent thought, fostering dialogue and harnessing the communicative power of literature. Through a thoughtful examination encompassing diverse social, historical and ethical dimensions, critics explore the specific, dynamic and universal aesthetic elements present within literary works. Within the realm of Chinese literature, critics, propelled by an unwavering spirit of independence, have fashioned a diverse array of critical approaches, coherent and distinctive in their patterns, thus expanding the discourse surrounding critical analysis. These multifaceted perspectives represent essential pillars upon which contemporary literary criticism continues to evolve and flourish.
At the heart of Chinese literary criticism lies a focus on practical application, highlighting the uniqueness and richness of its content. This emphasis reaffirms the essential function and value of Chinese literary criticism, establishing fundamental operational modes and serving as a guiding force in societal realms.
To gain a comprehensive and systematic understanding of the landscape of Chinese literary criticism, to explore the spiritual core and distinctive attributes of Chinese literary criticism, and to grasp the means deployed in this realm, this publication has deliberately selected a range of research documents from various perspectives to share with our readers.
The critical examination of literature throughout the various dynasties in China serves as the cornerstone of Chinese literary criticism and represents a significant component of the selected literature in this special issue. To commence, the issue has chosen the Ming Dynasty's ‘The Jade Hairpin’, as a classic ancient theatrical literary work that has high literary and historical value, providing rich materials and perspectives for understanding the plight of women in feudal society. This article aims to conduct in-depth research on the limitations and oppression of women under the feudal system by analysing and interpreting the images and fate of female characters in ‘The Jade Hairpin’. It first explores the impact of the feudal system on women's status and their role positioning in society and family. Then, it analyses the portrayal of Chen Miaochang, the main female character in ‘The Jade Hairpin’. Using a combination of text analysis and historical research, this study examines the limitations and oppression faced by women under the feudal system from the perspectives of religion, ethics, morality, family power and social structure. Finally, based on theatrical therapy, an in-depth analysis is conducted on the literary reflections on women's liberation under the feudal system. The reflection on the fate of women and the awakening of female character subjectivity in dramatic literature provides a unique perspective for interpreting the fate of women in feudal systems and inspires audiences to think about gender issues in society.
Subsequently, within the backdrop of the Ming Dynasty, this issue critically explores regional literature of the Ming era, emphasising its significant impact and relevance on subsequent regional literary works of later periods.
In fact, the late Qing government effectively initiated China's first wave of reform and opening up, gradually establishing connections with Western nations with the aim of integrating with the global community. In the realm of literature, leveraging translation and other means, Western literary works were introduced to China, forming a trend of exchange. Against this backdrop, the next article, focusing on the ‘Novels Translated by Lin Shu’ (1899–1919), delves into an in-depth case study of Lin Shu's translation of foreign novels during the late Qing era, exploring the translational literature and other aspects of openness during that time. This study emphasises the significant role of translated foreign novels in the world literature of late Qing China. Lin's translations exhibit uniqueness through their categorisation, primarily divided into three types: emotional and romantic worlds exemplified by ‘Past Stories of the Camellia-Woman of Paris’, adventure and supernatural mystery worlds represented by Haggard's adventure novels, and the world of critical realism embodied by Dickens’ realistic novels. By meticulously analysing Lin and his translations of foreign novels, this article unveils the characteristics of cross-cultural communication within national differences, thus exploring the global literary value of foreign novel translations in the macro-cultural and social context of late Qing China.
Chinese regional literature is an indispensable component, and indeed, the foundation of Chinese literary heritage. This issue carefully selects two articles on regional literature studies, emphasising the methodologies and techniques of literary critique.
Xinjiang, an enclave situated in the northwest of China, has emerged as a captivating subject for artistic contemplation, offering us myriad perspectives to envelop this locale. The chosen article in this issue aims to comprehensively examine the construction of critical discourse in the Xinjiang literature. What sets this article apart is its pioneering introduction to the diverse realms of Xinjiang literature, including echoes of ancient texts and the Silk Road, alongside depictions within Chinese literary traditions. By conceptualising various approaches to critical discourse in the Xinjiang literature, this innovative study illuminates the overarching layers of critique within the historical narratives of Xinjiang, facilitating a comprehensive understanding for readers of the critical discourses embedded within Xinjiang literary works.
The other selected article delves into the integration of Huizhou folk prints into an analysis of literary interactivity. This exploration aims to scrutinise and evaluate the intricate connections within these art forms. By examining how Huizhou folk prints portray literature and interpret literary works, the study ultimately reflects on the symbiotic relationship between literature and art. The significance of this research extends beyond mere academic inquiry; it serves as a catalyst for expanding perspectives, enriching the layers of creative expression, and paving the way for a more nuanced and diversified development of literature and art.
For those well-versed in literary realms, it is evident that ethnic literature stands as a distinctive and integral part of the broader literary tapestry. Central to the essence of ethnic literature are its vibrant cultural facets, deeply rooted in a profound sense of ethnic identity. Represented by the Manchu ethnic group, the next article embarks on a journey that follows the evolution of Manchu culture through meticulous methods such as ‘historical document analysis’ and ‘cultural studies’. Through these approaches, it researches the establishment of Manchu cultural prominence, the evolution of the Manchu language and script, and the expansive growth of Manchu literature. This scholarly pursuit not only sheds light on the historical contours of Manchu culture but also propels its cultural identity into a new and significant historical epoch.
Critical discourse plays a pivotal role in enhancing literary comprehension. However, research on critical discourse from ancient to contemporary literature often tends to be confined by narrow perspectives, overlooking a comprehensive exploration of characteristics and commonalities. To construct a bridge of critical discourse between ancient and modern literature, this publication has selected a scholarly piece that delves deeply into the continuity of literature from a historical developmental perspective. This particular article, by defining the structure and features of critical discourse theory in ancient and contemporary literature, conducts a comparative analysis of their shared elements. By approaching the subject from a unified standpoint, it seeks to explore insights for the future development of literary criticism, thus paving the way for a more holistic understanding that transcends temporal boundaries.
To complete the issue, we sequentially present targeted introductions to four exemplary literary critique articles in the order of ‘ancient, modern, Chinese, and foreign literature’.
The first article interrogates the concept of ‘无恶’ within the ‘Analects of Confucius—Li Ren’. An evident juxtaposition occurs in the Li Ren section of the Analects, where the term ‘无’ when examined within the phrase should be interpreted as ‘incapable’, signifying a nuanced perspective. This statement conveys an attitude towards individuals sincerely committed to the pursuit of good. Delving deeper into the relevant chapter of Li Ren, one can understand that ‘恶’ should be interpreted within the context of moral insight. Therefore, claiming ‘苟志于仁矣, 无恶也’ signifies a steadfast commitment to benevolence that excludes any tendency to aversion.
The second article, inspired by the popular TV series ‘Soldiers Sortie’, explores how ideology uses traditional Chinese narrative techniques to present itself and gain legitimacy, thus garnering public acceptance. Through a detailed analysis of the plot of ‘Soldiers Sortie’, it is evident that the intertwining narrative and the overall family narrative model adopted in this work align with the cultural psyche accumulated over thousands of years in China, making it easily acceptable to Chinese audiences. Throughout history, popular literary works widely embraced by the Chinese public often employ this traditional Chinese narrative style. Therefore, mainstream ideologies seeking dissemination through literary works must take care to utilise China's narrative traditions.
The third article, focused on the artistic form of Chinese landscape painting, examines Chinese literati's care for life and conducts a literary exploration of landscape painting. The art of landscape painting involves a coherent development and transformation chain between individual self-awareness and a literati emotional construct. By examining the main themes of seasonal-themed landscape paintings, mainly divided into two categories – seclusion and travel themes – this article explores the connection between the evolution of landscape painting themes and the emotional content carried by the literati, as well as the relationship between the development of landscape painting and seasonal changes, literati's literary exploration, and poetic expressions.
The fourth article, from the perspective of Chinese literature, critiques Socratic philosophical thought in the narrative of Euthyphro. Employing a comparative analysis method, this article juxtaposes Socrates’ dialogue in Euthyphro with the Confucian ethical principle of ‘not reporting wrongs within the family’ in the Analects of Confucius · Zilu. From the perspective of Chinese literary criticism, Confucius's principle of ‘concealing family wrongs’ and the importance of family relations imply oppression of individuals, while ‘reporting paternal wrongdoings’ symbolises personal awakening. However, in Euthyphro, Socrates challenges traditional moral concepts, thus revealing the philosophical depth and complexity behind moral decision-making.
The various studies in this issue, conducted from different angles, vividly depict the panorama of Chinese literary criticism. It is evident that Chinese literature is not only rich in content but also profound. Chinese literature has had a powerful impact not only within its own nation but also in other countries, with an influence that is immeasurable. As a result, with such a fertile ground for Chinese literary criticism, a vibrant array of achievements naturally emerges, effectively driving the development of Chinese literature.
Lead Guest Editor
Kevin Wang, Jiangsu Ocean University, China
Guest Editors
Aliya Aini, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China