A Study On The Narrative Ethics Of Modern Chinese Satirical Novels

This thesis takes exploring the narrative ethics of modern Chinese satirical novels as the basic issue direction,and takes the ethical dimension of modern satirical novels as the entry point,focuses on the ethical expression of modern Chinese satirical novels in narrative activities,analyzes the ethical implications behind satirical writers’ "what to write" "how to write",and readers’ " how to read".It focuses on the narrative behavior links such as the narrative subject,character shaping,plot structure,narrative space,and narrative reception,discussing the ethical guidance of writers in narrative activities,the implicit meaning of text narrative methods,and the generation process of readers’ ethical influence.In short,this thesis discusses how modern Chinese satirical novels achieve their established ethical goals from a narrative perspective.This thesis takes the theory of narrative ethics as the main research approach,mainly involving disciplines such as narratology,semiotics,ethics,sociology,and drawing on theoretical viewpoints from relevant disciplines for comprehensive research.This is the basic idea and theoretical basis for the research and writing of this thesis.The basic framework of this thesis revolves around the above issues as follows:The introduction mainly introduces the definition of the scope of research on modern Chinese satirical novels,and the current status of research on modern Chinese satirical novels.At the same time,it focuses on the ethical dimension of modern Chinese satirical novels,sorts out the concept of narrative ethics,and explores the narrative ethics research path of the entire process of "subject-text-acceptance" narrative activities for modern Chinese satirical novels.Chapter 1 mainly discusses the ethical stance of satirical writers as narrative subjects.The ethical and creative views of satirical writers play an important role in conveying the ethical implications of the text.During the period of social ethical transformation,writers formed evolutionary ethics and conservative ethics,and their views on satirical literary creation gradually formed two major schools with different focuses-the objective school and the subjective school.In terms of narrative intervention,public intervention and invisible intervention have equally important impacts and effects.Writers represented by Lao She and Qian Zhongshu continue the narrative habits of classical Chinese novels and are skilled in actively intervening in narrative;Writers such as Lu Xun,Zhang Tianyi,and Ye Shengtao prefer to use rhetorical methods for implicit,moisturizing silently,striving to produce ethical influence without trace.From the perspective of narrative reliability,influenced by implicit reader acceptance,writers such as Lao She and Zhao Shuli tend to have reliable narratives;Writers such as Lu Xun are better at unreliable narrative methods.Chapter 2 mainly discusses the ethical implications of character shaping in modern Chinese satirical novels.Typical character images are ethical symbols that constitute the collective image of sentient beings in modern Chinese satirical novels.In the era of ethical enlightenment,writers highlighted the characterization of typical characters in the context of ethical reform,such as the guardian of feudal old ethics represented by Mr.Zhao,and the oppressed and enlightened groups of old ethics represented by Ah Q;In order to reflect the expression of ethical conflicts in satirical literature,the author chose a way of contrasting the portrayal of new and old characters.One is the cultural and ethical comparison between the new and old citizens,and the other is the ethical comparison of the intergenerational relationship between father and son(mother and son).Against the backdrop of ethical disorder in the Kuomintang controlled area,writers have portrayed the image of typical bureaucratic rulers of the Kuomintang,including hypocritical and greedy county and town leaders,Anti Japanese war reception officers,and grassroots directors,as well as a series of shameless and ruthless gentry groups that harm the surrounding areas in a way of judging ugliness.Zhao Shuli in the liberated area(base area)has created the image of a new youth who dares to fight bravely and pursues happiness in a typified manner,as well as another image of backward farmers who are conservative and superstitious.Chapter 3 mainly discusses the ethical implication behind the formation of the plot structure in modern Chinese satirical novels.The choice of plot structure itself contains the expression of ethical concepts.Modern satirical novels have generally formed a linear structure of wandering adventure novels,a non linear plot structure of old tales retold novels,a cross cut structure of mimetic biographical novels,and a transformational structure of situational satirical novels.Wandering adventure novels are derived from European wandering novels,mostly centered around the protagonist’s life experiences,with a loose structure connecting vivid stories,represented by Lao She,two basic forms of wandering adventure have been formed: single line wandering adventure and double line wandering adventure.Old tales retold novels often use historical characters,words,and deeds to satirize current events,adopting a non-linear structure that blends ancient and modern times and juxtaposes time and space,forming a clear satirical style represented by Lu Xun and a metaphorical style represented by Nie Gannu.Mimetic biographical novels usually assume the overall situation through the ironic stance of the biography of a small or denied figure,and imitate the basic framework of traditional biographical style and adopt a cross cutting plot structure.Situational satirical novels are adept at using unexpected reversals of events to make readers’ intentions repeatedly fail,belonging to a transformational structure,it mainly achieves situational irony effects through two ways:discovering patterns and opposing patterns.Chapter 4 mainly discusses the ethical intentions of the narrative space setting in modern Chinese satirical novels.Modern satirical novels have formed diverse spatial images in literary practice,with physical spaces mainly consisting of rural and urban spaces,social spaces mainly consisting of literati spaces,and illusory spaces mainly consisting of exotic spaces.Rural space is either a disaster stricken area under the oppression of feudal ethical systems,or a sad,helpless and dark place at the grassroots level in rural areas where officials and gentry compete.Urban space describes modern urban culture and the world of citizens,including the gray twilight city under the blockade of old city walls described by Lao She,and the desire city exuding a capitalist atmosphere written by Zhang Tianyi.Satirical writers construct a unique literati space through the satirical narration of knowledge groups,with ugly images of old literati with irony constructed through public and private spaces,and group portraits of new literati displaying the ugliness of senior intellectuals in the ivory tower.The construction of exotic spaces attempts to construct ghost earth and fable spaces by creating a way of dream traversal and ghost fantasy,or by using ghost and god worlds to embody ugly and chaotic phenomena in the world,or by using fables to dispel pessimism and depression towards the decaying world of reality.Chapter 5 mainly discusses the two-way ethical communication between the author and reader of modern Chinese satirical novels.The narrative acceptance process of modern satirical novels presents characteristics such as implicit reader group differences,ethical distortions in interpretation,satirical literary debates,and secondary narration.The implicit readership of satirical writers exhibits diverse characteristics,from the knowledge group,the citizen group,to the farmer group,and so on.Writers subconsciously try to adapt to the aesthetic requirements and acceptance habits of implicit readers as much as possible.The ethical interpretation of the work by readers of different dimensions often exhibit distortions,misinterpretations,and misreadings.Writers may passively explain and respond to work disputes,correct vague interpretations,or actively publish work interpretations in the form of "Discussing writing articles" to better grasp the initiative of text interpretation and ethical communication.The debate on satirical literature often focuses on the boundary between satire,humor and exposure,which affects the ethical stance and narrative style of writers.Critics are the "interpretive group" that plays a unique ethical "interpretive" function,and literary criticism is also the process of "secondary narration" of the work.Literary criticism of a specific work or author can promote ethical reflection on the author,and at the same time promote the complete acceptance of the ethical meaning of the work by a wider range of readers.Finally,there is the conclusion.Summarizing the specific narrative ethical manifestations of modern satirical novels in various narrative stages such as subject,character,plot,space,and reception,it is believed that satirical writers express the inherent ethical expectations contained through the selection and process of narrative forms,which are: fierce criticism of the old ethical order,prevention of foreseeable defects in the construction of future new ethics,and the romantic imagination,arduous exploration,and the repeated game and progress between people’s construction of a perfect ethical order and human weaknesses.At the same time,it is believed that the value and significance of the ethical dimension of satirical novels lie in people’s persistence in constructing a perfect ethical order,their self transcendence of human weaknesses,and the reverse propulsion effect brought about by satirical novels.The significance of satirical writers in ethical construction lies not only in their bold questioning of the old ethical order "Is it always right",but also in their firm confidence and persistent exploration of the new ethical order "Strive without fear of failure".At the same time,it is necessary to reflect on the utilitarianism of the overall narrative ethics of satirical novels that is too "clear" and the strong intervention of the narrative process.Contemporary writers should once again continue the tradition of modern satirical novels,not only promoting critical spirit and ethical intervention consciousness,but also being wary of overly clear and utilitarian narrative expression,so that more excellent satirical literature can once again shine brightly in the literary world.