Chinese Journal of Literary Criticism

No.1, 2022 

 

A Unique Approach in the Fable of Theory: Discussions on Zhang Xudong’s Criticism of Theory

(Abstract)

 

Chen Xiaoming

 

The challenges facing to literary theory and criticism in the 1980s were, on the one hand, the discipline of established theoretical systems, and on the other, insatiable desire for new theories. While their efforts were rooted in the historical context of China, Chinese scholars not only outwardly learned the most cutting-edge theoretical discourse from the West, but also explained Chinese innovative literary creations inwardly. Zhang Xudong is a representative in theoretical discourse reform of contemporary literary criticism. Through his critical practice, Zhang has demonstrated the historical depth of Chinese writers’ expressive power over Chinese reality, and also, proved the enduring validity of allegorical expression of reality in literature after years of discussion.