Chinese Journal of Literary Criticism

No.3, 2020

From Western Literary Theory to Marxist-Leninist Literary Theory: The Shift of Cultural Identity and the Construction of Chinese Subjectivity

(Abstract)

Dai Xun

Western literary theory exists both in the original language and in Chinese translation. In most cases, the former is unable to exert direct influence on Chinese scholars, while the latter is permeated with the subjective construction of Chinese scholars. Since the reform and opening-up, the reception of 20th century Western literary theory in China has shown characteristics of diversity, but its mainstream and core has remained Marxist-Leninist, or those thoughts that present certain affinities with Marxism. Chinese subjectivity is clearly shown in the translation and reception of Western literary theories.