The Study Of Wellek's Literary Theory

The dissertation reviews the wellek's literary theory from the background of the 20th -century literary criticism, starting with the hackle of his theory resources, and indicates definitely that the phenomenology is wellek's theoretical basis, Structuralist linguistics Russian formalism and New criticism is the stand from which wellek established his theoretical system.The second part dwells on the literary noumenon including structural ontology and literary essence. In wellek's opinion ,the works of arts is the structure composed of denotations and meanings. Structure is not only the basis but also the core concept of Wellek's theory. In addition, Wellek ascribed the literary essences to aesthetic fictive and imaginary character by comparing this structure with the other symbolic structures.The third part focuses on the discussion about intrinsic and extrinsic study. The extrinsic study is about the experiential existence, however, the intrinsic study is such one as the Structure .Wellek declared solemnly that the extrinsic study will lead to the failure of literary research, and the best approach of literary research is the intrinsic study. He divided the works of arts into two parts breadthwise : material and structure ,and three levels lengthways. Based on the pondering of the intrinsic and extrinsic study, the literary history is the development history of the linguistic structure .In the end, the dissertation revaluates the merits of wellek's theory, in fact, the works of literary theory changed the thinking mode, and played an important role in provoking the internal revolution in our academy. At he same time , the domestic scholars exert such enthusiasm and creativity that construct our literary study . The dissertation analyses his theoretical localization as well as his merits.