On The Transformation Of The Novel "people" Found

Working from the point of view of "the human being," this essay analyzes characteristic representations of "the human being" in novels of the transitional period. It contends that the authors of this period regarded the discovery and expression of "the human being" as their primary mission—the traditional depiction of the "idealized human being" was thus transformed into a new focus on "the real human being." Old projections were discarded in favor of an approach that emphasized the exploration of "the human being" in real life contexts.The first chapter analyzes the discourse of survival associated with transitional period novels. Starting from the mid-1980s, China's literary culture underwent a series of significant changes. The focus of domestic work shifted dramatically, legitimizing a new source of material for creative expression. Increased interaction with foreign cultures catalyzed novelistic creativity; the changing identity of protagonists and the shifting of attitudes provided momentum for innovation; and the marginalization of the literary sphere made change necessary for survival.The second chapter examines the novels in terms of their basic "conditions of survival." They express the legitimization of human needs and desires, along with the change in ideas about love, and thus represent the advent of a new kind of humanism among the authors.Chapter three considers the theme of individualization, analyzing the writers' efforts to express individuality through their novels, as well as their depictions of real life as lacking individuality. In the midst of wrenching social change, this lack of individuality can be mended only by searching for passion in the past.The fourth chapter considers the theme of privatization, analyzing female novelists' return to a more classical narration style, their effort to reconstruct traditional ideas of femininity, as well as their desire to...