Genealogy Of Discourse Theory And Its Reception And Reconstruction In China

This dissertation attempts to make an overall study of the genealogy of discourse theory in the West in the20th century and its reception and reconstruction in China in the hope of providing new perspectives and insightful reflections on contemporary Chinese literary criticism. This dissertation intends to achieve three goals:firstly, it examines the course of the development of discourse theory; secondly, it focuses on the analysis of the reception and reconstruction of discourse theory in contemporary Chinese literary studies and criticism; thirdly, it explores the inspirations and revelations of discourse theory on contemporary Chinese literary criticism.Adopting the genealogical research method, the dissertation elaborates on the dynamic history of the emergence and construction of discourse theory as a system of knowledge, through which the diversity and heterogeneity of discourse theory will be highlighted and the main threads and inner connections of its history of development will be revealed.The dissertation is composed of five parts in addition to introduction and conclusion:Chapter Ⅰ concentrates on the turn to discourse from language and theory of discourse and ideology. Saussure’s langue-parole distinction lays a theoretical foundation for the emergence of discourse theory. In the theoretical context of structuralism and post-structuralism, structural anthropologist Levi-Strauss and linguist Beveniste play important roles in the theoretical programme of turning from language to discourse. Levi-Strauss discovers the third level of language beyond langue and parole, that is, the level of discourse, and analyzes structurally the constitutive units of myths as discourses, which makes him precursor of the hypothesis of "the linguistics of discourse". Having realized the limitations of structural linguistics, Beveniste explores the discursive world, the distinction between histoire and discourse and subjectivity of discourse, which gives an impetus to the turn to discourse from language. Althusser and Pecheux’s theory of discourse and ideology exerts profound influence on the French Discourse Analysis. Althusser’s exploration on construction and nature of ideology, the relation between ideology and subject and ideological discourse provides significant theoretical framework and insights for the development of discourse theory. Based on Althusser’s theory of ideology, Pecheux endeavors to construct a new theory of discourse and ideology.Chapter Ⅱ makes a thorough analysis of Foucault’s discourse theory as a whole. The first point to note is the shift of attention in Foucault from language to discourse, and statement and discursive formation are two key concepts in his discourse theory. Discourse is characterized by discursive event, discursive practice and discursive positivity, and the production of discourse is constrained by procedures of exclusion, inner procedures and rarefaction of the speaking subjects. Furthermore, discourse interacts and interweaves with power and knowledge, forming a dynamic and complex network of relations. Only through in-depth examination of this network can Foucault’s reconsideration and reinterpretation of discourse be made clear. Another point worth mentioning is Foucault’s illustration of the concept of ideology. He believes that ideology is difficult to use because of three reasons: the opposition between ideology and truth, the connection of ideology with subject and relation between ideology and economic base, which leads to his rejection of the concept of ideology. Finally, Foucault argues that author is till a question to be resolved, and he further sums up the four characteristics of "author-function" in the field of discourse.Chapter III investigates the ways in which Foucault’s discourse theory is drawn, used and modified by feminist and post-colonial theorists. Feminist theorists have tried to make Foucault’s discourse theory work to serve their unique female perspective and political ends. Feminist theoriststs’ concern with the issue of power-knowledge is closely related to their current situation in system of knowledge, so they strive to get rid of the traditional mode of production of knowledge and question the truth of knowledge in patriarchy under the illuminations of Foucault’s views on power/knowledge. Their opinions are divided on Foucault’s power/resistance, among which some criticize Foucault’s views, while others recognize the positive influence of Foucault’s views on feminism, and discuss the effective resistant strategies feminists may adopt. Post-colonial studies also draw heavily on Foucault’s discourse theory. Foucault’s theory of discourse and power/knowledge provide fresh perspective and in-depth criticism for Said’s study of orientalism, on the other hand, contradictions and dissonances also exist between Said and Foucault. Young believes that it is of great necessity to re-examine the way Said makes use of and interprets discourse theory, and he proposes re-theorizing "colonial discourse" through returning to Foucault’s mode of discourse.Chapter IV examines the reception and reconstruction of discourse theory in China. The dissemination of discourse theory in Chinese literary studies and criticism begins with the translation and introduction of structuralism and post-structuralism to China. In1980s, studies on Foucault’s discourse theory are mainly in the form of translation and reviews, which produce little impact on academic circles. Since1990s, scholars are mainly concerned with the discussions of discourse theory from three aspects:the issue of term translation of "discourse" after recontextualization, clarification of "discourse" as a key concept and application of discourse paradigm in Chinese literary studies and criticism. During the course of reception, discourse theory has been put to use, domesticated and reconstructed because of the displacement of contexts, time and space. Foucault’s discourse theory has been reduced to the theory of discourse/power under the influence of Chinese cultural context, which embodies the limited perspective of reception. Meanwhile, scholars try to redefine literature from the angle of discourse theory, and discourse analysis provides the guidance of methodology for the development of Chinese literary theory and criticism as well. Domestication of discourse theory in China is also manifested in the exploration and reinterpretation of traditional Chinese literary theory from the perspective of discourse analysis, and reconstruction of Chinese discourse studies paradigm.Chapter V explores the illuminations and revelations of discourse theory on contemporary Chinese literary criticism. Literary criticism can be regarded as a productive discursive practice from the perspective of discourse theory. As discursive practice, literary criticism is actually constructed in a certain social, historical and cultural context. While reflecting on contemporary Chinese literary criticism, we should first of all examine how the concept "literary criticism" was introduced into China, and then analyze its contemporary characteristics. Besides, the author adopts the method of discourse analysis to survey the discursive field of contemporary Chinese literary criticism, and discusses the way overall cultural context, academic background and literary conception, literary institutions, mode of production of critical discourse, mode of existence of critical subject have changed, and how these changes influence, constrain and even decide the current situation of contemporary Chinese literary criticism. Based on the preceding discussions, the dissertation further explores the discursive strategies critics may take in reaction to globalization from three aspects: critics’ cultural identity and discursive stand, the issue of knowledge renewal and theoretical innovation, and the problem of value judgment and ethic responsibility in literary criticism. Contemporary critics should maintain a distance from their object of criticism, and insist on critical awareness and reflective spirit, only in this way can they be well on the way to "the critical path".