From Borrowing To Estranging

The relationship between the renowned but controversial Chinese writer ZhangChengzhi and his soviet counterpart Aytmatov has been a attention-getting subjectbecause its characteristic was different from early stage to late stage. In the early yearsof their artistic creation, the lives of minority were the similar theme for both andZhang was influenced by Aytmatov. In the late days they proceed from differentculture background separately and regard religion (Islam and the Christian religion) assubject matter create and produce representative works. By comparing the Zhang'searly writing with Aytmatov's and comparing the Zhang 's late writing withAytmatov's separately, the whole literature relationship between Zhang and Aytmatovcan be ascertain and the influence of minority consciousness in the literaturerelationship between Zhang and Aytmatov can be show to some extent. This paper is composed of two part .The former part focuses on theinfluence from Aytmtov to Zhang . Chapter One is to conduct the close reading theearly works of the two writers, focusing itself mainly on the similarities as revealedby the style , keynote and subject matter etc thus defining the existence of influenceby Aytamtov in Zhang's early writings. Then, in Chapter Two, a historical review onZhang's identity as a minority group member, and his experience as a Red Guard, anda young intellectual, was carried out for the further discussion of his motives forliterary writing in his early time so as to suggest why Aytmatov was accepted by theyoung Chinese writer as his literary guide. The late part of the paper , also composed with two chapters, use the parallelstudy to compare Zhang's late writing with Aytmatov's. The Chapter One analysesZhang' and Aytmatov' novels which are related to religion focusing outlook onreligion and artistic character. In Chapter Two their psychology of creation and choicefor religion are studied . Although, different choice for religion is obvious in their latereligious works, what they share in common is that they made their own spiritualchoice as their response to social transformation and modernization——ideals thatconscientious writer attempt to provide for readers and society.