Topical Design: The Construction and Development of Literary Discourse System

■ A Historical Perspective on the Construction of the Discourse Systemof Chinese Literary Theory （PP. 4-9）CHENG Zhengmin

Abstract: The discourse system of literary theory is a concrete manifestation of the academic system and disciplinary system of literature, which has commonality and uniqueness, stability and variability. The change of discourse system of Chinese literary theory in the past hundred years is closely related to the change of literary concept in the past century, and the driving force of the change lies in the dialogue and fusion of various literary discourses. The exploration and construction of the discourse system of Chinese literary theory in the new period has entered a new stage, accumulated new experience and made new progress. Under the guidance of Marxism and facing the practice of contemporary Chinese literary and art creation, the construction of the discourse system of Chinese literary theory still has a long way to go in order to realize the dialogue and fusion of Chinese and Western literary discourse.

Keywords: Chinese literary theory, discourse system, discourse characteristics, dialogue and fusion of discourse, historical revelation

■ Changes in Ancient and Modern Concepts of Chinese Literary Theory and Their Integration Strategies （PP. 10-23）LI Jian

Abstract: There are two systems of Chinese literary theory: ancient and modern, and two systems of concepts. Since the concepts that serve as the sinews of theory in these two systems are extremely different, it is almost impossible to find a point of integration or even correspondence among quite a few concepts. This has brought great difficulties to people's overall understanding and evaluation of Chinese literary theories, and even more unprecedented challenges to the construction of the discourse system of contemporary literary theory with Chinese characteristics. Both ancient and modern literary theories have their own value of existence and their own limitations. The value of ancient literary theories is that they highlight the national character and aesthetic uniqueness of theories, but the limitation lies in that they cannot fully adapt to the current literary creation and criticism; the value of modern literary theories is that they follow the literary creation and theoretical criticism of the modern world and try to connect with the world, but the limitation lies in that they do not have distinctive national characteristics and lack in innovation. This shows that neither the rigid adherence to the classics nor the raw fetishism is the right way. The only way is to integrate the ancient and the modern, so as to realize the generalization through in-depth study of concepts and mutual interpretation between the East and the West, and reach the goal of constructing the discourse system of a contemporary literary theory with Chinese characteristics.

Keywords: ancient literary theory, modern literary theory, Western literary theory, concept, mutual interpretation, integration

■ Language as a Heterotopia:Foucault's Dialectical Tension between Discourse and Literary Language （PP. 24-35）WU Yuyu

Abstract: Foucault believes that we are in a world of language construction, where discourse forms a huge system through arrangement and combination. Discourse and power are closely related, and we are immersed in a vast network of words and power. And modern literary language, especially those represented by Sade and Russell, is ambiguous and breaks through the rational order. However, literary language cannot be separated from discourse. Literary language is ultimately expressed in the form of discourse, but it is preserved in a heterotopian way. Unlike utopia, it maintains its own heterogeneity.

Keywords: Foucault, discourse, literary language

■ An Analysis of the Historical Acceptance and Influence of HUANG Yaomian's Aesthetic Discourse （PP. 36-47）LIU Jian

Abstract: The theory of "aesthetic evaluation" was put forward by HUANG Yaomian in China's "Debate on Aesthetics" in the 1950s. Through close reading and comparative study, this article enters the historical scene of the "debate on aesthetics" in those years, which not only expounds the importance of HUANG's aesthetic proposition, but also presents his communication and collision with ZHU Guangqian, CAI Yi, LI Zehou and others' aesthetic discourse. This article will make a corresponding evaluation and analysis of the disputes in the historical reception of HUANG's aesthetic discourse, and present the far-reaching influence of HUANG's axiology aesthetics on contemporary aesthetic literary theory discourse on the level of genesis.

Keywords: HUANG Yaomian, aesthetic evaluation, axiology aesthetics, historical reception, affect

■ Tracing the Origins of Theories and Contemporary Voices:Overview of the Symposium on the"Discourse Analysis of Chinese Literary Theory" （PP. 48-57）MIAO Xinwei

Abstract: Over the past century, the continuous development of Chinese literary theory has been characterized by the assimilation of both Western and Chinese theories, profound introspection into the context of the times, and active engagement with social developments. In this context, literary theory, as a sort of discourse, particularly exemplifies dual significance in terms of "object-practice." In the post-globalization world of increasing diversification in social domains, Chinese literary theory needs to establish its discourse based on the historical context and focus on subject practices in society, thereby further enhancing the vitality of literary theory within the cultural sphere. From July 1st to 2nd, 2023, the symposium on "Discourse Analysis in Chinese Literary Theory" was held at Beijing Normal University in Zhuhai. Scholars provided valuable insights on topics such as "the development and construction of disciplinary systems," "clarification and analysis of theoretical concepts," "revisiting historical contexts," "innovative interpretations of classical literary theories," and "theoretical concerns regarding contemporary realities." These discussions highlighted the increasingly comprehensive nature of China's literary theory system and the continuous growth of its practical value.

Keywords: Chinese literary theory, discourse analysis, conceptual history, social historical perspective, Chinese and Western theoretical trends

Talk on Literary and Art Creation

■ XIANG Yunju: Transcending the Clash of Civilizations through Mutual Learning of Civilizations:Reflections on the Writing of Essentials of the Exchange and Mutual Learning of Eastern and Western Civilizations（PP. 58-71）Interviewed by YIN Yixuan

Critical Analyses of Works

■ The Scene in Front of You Must Be Said, or the Fall Color Not Yet Known：A Brief Discussion of HUANG Weiruo's Historical Drama QU Yuan（PP. 72-83）ZOU Hong

Abstract: HUANG Weiruo's new work QU Yuan has the same title as GUO Moruo's QU Yuan written in 1942, but there are obvious differences in both content and form. This is not only constrained by the concept of historical drama creation upheld by the two, but also closely related to their respective eras. GUO's text used the past to satirize the present, which is basically not out of the category of classicist drama; HUANG's text relies on historical facts and employs more modern theatrical techniques. By comparing the similarities and differences between the two texts, it may provide useful reference for the current creation of historical dramas.

Keywords: HUANG Weiruo,QU Yuan, historical play, GUO Moruo

Random Thoughts on Art

■ Analysis of the Ritual Expression of Recitation Art （PP. 84-92）LI Yan

Abstract: Recitation art, as one of the time-honored forms of artistic expression, has its distinctive characteristics both at home and abroad. At present, most of the research on Chinese recitation art exists in technique or analysis of recitation art features centered on recitation art programs in the new era, but studies on the ritual expression of recitation art are rarely seen. Against the background of the new liberal arts, the theory of recitation art needs to be further expanded. Through discussing the origin and performance of recitation art, this article finds that it has obvious rituality, and this rituality not only has an external form, but also runs throughout various internal factors. In addition, the rituality of recitation art is not a rule for recitation art, but the fusion of pleasing oneself and others simultaneously.

Keywords: recitation art, rituality, the origin of recitation art, ritual communication

■ Another Path of Modernity: Exploring Victor Horta's Holistic Design Aesthetics （PP. 93-103）WANG Zhao

Abstract: Victor Horta was a central representative of the Belgian Art Nouveau at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries, known for his interior design. This article is devoted to exploring Horta's holistic design aesthetics and its presentation path, and believes that he creatively practiced another path of modernity. The article first examines the "holistic" in the context of modernity, in order to explore Horta's innovation and the significance of modernity, then analyzes four different dimensions of Horta's holistic design aesthetics, which are the integration of media/materials, the "Open-Plan" of space, the unity of multiple styles and the linkage of senses, deeply exploring its practical path, historical significance and aesthetic value, as well as to reflect on Horta's revelations on contemporary design in China.

Keywords: Victor Horta, modernity, holistic, interior design, design aesthetics

Interview with Renowned Experts

■ A Random Discussion on "Modernity" and "Localization":An Interview with Literary Theorist QIAN Zhongwen （PP. 104-123）Interviewed by LI Yishuai

Inside Front Cover 

Chinese Literary Critics: ZHANG Fa

Inside Back Cover 

Review of the Second Batch of bases of Chinese Literary and Art Criticism:The base of China Literary and Art Criticism (Tsinghua University)

Back Cover 

The Introduction to the Excellent Works in the Seventh "Woodpecker Cup" of Chinese Literature and Art Criticism: The Self Confidence of Chinese Literaturein the New Era