Aesthetic Gesture

Shao Xunmei is a poet, prose writer, translator and publisher. He is distinctive among all the intellectuals influenced by aestheticsm; he holds aesthetism in the practice of communication between western and eastern culture from which he develops his particular aesthetic Chinese style. Today, this style enjoys great significance in culture. The thesis, with reference to the latest fruits of Comparative Literature, Communication and Hermeneutics, combs and studies Shao Xunmei's literary creation, his research and practice in an overall way in search of the entire development of his aesthetic Chinese style, the style's significance in guiding his practice, with the expectation to cast light on the unique value and the contribution of his Chinese aesthetism practice to comparative literature and literary history.The first chapter introduces Shao Xunmei's life with the stress on his distinguished family and good breeding which contribute to the foundation of his aesthetism.The second chapter studies how he spread aesthetism, translated aesthetic works and engaged himself in literary creation under the heavy influence of aesthetism in 1920s. Besides, the chapter attaches importance to his magazines, translations and poetry from 1926 to1930 in order to demonstrate the shaping of his particular aesthetic style.