On Liang Shiqiu's Rational Spirit In The Literary Views

Liang Shiqiu is one of the most representative figures in the history of Chinese literary theory. His literary thoughts have been researched extensively. Most scholars tend to study his literary thought from the perspective of"the Dualism of Human Nature"in the current situation of study. However, the Rational Spirit in his literary concepts has not been explained completely. The author believes that the Rational Spirit in Liang's literary concepts is an important starting point to study his literary thoughts. Therefore, this thesis will combine analysis method and induction method to discuss his rational spirits from the following four perspectives.I. Rational spirit in literatureRational spirit has been studied from different points of view in Chinese and western literature. In Chinese modern and contemporary literature, the meaning of rational spirit has been distorted or enlarged. Therefore, to start with the meaning of"rationality"must be defined before studying it. We can not judge and criticize the existence of rational spirit in a writer's work until we have a correct understanding of"rationality"as well as the connotation of rational spirit in his works.II. The Rational Spirit in Liang Shiqiu's literary viewsBased on the definition of"rationality", we can summarize the Rational Spirit in Liang's literary views as a unity of cognitive rationality and value rationality demonstrating in the following four aspects:i. In the behavior pattern of literary activity which emphasize the function of rational restriction.ii. In the attitude to literature which believes rationality holds an independent position in literature.iii. In the process of literature which pursues the universality. iv. In the utility of literature which functions for the choosing of value of lifeIII. The source of rational spirit in Liang's literary viewsThe rational spirit in Liang's literary views is not initiated by him but has a clear source. Most of Liang's theories are from his teacher Irving Babbitt. Therefore, the New Humanism and the whole Classicism represented by Irving Babbitt is the source of flowing water of Liang's Rational Spirit in his literary views. Furthermore, Liang's character and thoughts are influenced by Confucian culture. Hence, ethics and restriction are the root and earth of Liang's Rational Spirit in his literary views as well as Confucian culture.IV. The value and weaknesses in Liang's Rational SpiritLiang lays emphasis on university and pursues nature. This kind of Rational Spirit helps to suppress extreme and deepen literature. However, he stresses the power of rational restriction too much pushing his rational spirit into his most taboo—extreme—inevitably, which consequently strips his literary works of vitality and charm that they should have.The integrated rational spirit of cognitive rationality and value rationality is not only reflected in Liang's literary thoughts but also in his prose writing. His Ya She Essay is fully permeated with the Rational Spirit he advocated. The rational spirit not only is a valuable wealth in modern literature history but also has an important enlightening significance for the high non-rational and anti-rational voice in today's literary world.