(On Character Innovation Of Kaleidoscope)

Kaleidoscope, the representative novel of Yan Zhen, has established a high reputation in Chinese contemporary literature. With delicate writing and deep thought, the novelist presents the realm of thought of an intellectual and explores the survival circumstance of intellectuals in the modern society. At present, a large number of discussions concerning characters in the novel have been carried out. But, the discussions mainly focus on the main character Chi Dawei, a representative of intellectual. Other characters are often ignored by scholars and researchers in spite of some brief studies on these secondary characters. Therefore, based on comparative study on characters between Kaleidoscope and other officialdom novels, the author attempts to analyze other three characters in the novel in this paper from the perspective of character innovation.This paper is divided into three parts:introduction, body and conclusion.In the first part, a brief overview on officialdom novels is introduced, putting more emphasis on the study of binary characters, which helps to reveal the difference between Kaleidoscope and other officialdom novels.The body can be subdivided into four chapters. The first chapter mainly discusses Chi Dawei’s intellectual identity change, which could find expression in his spiritual duality.The second chapter focuses on Ma Chuizhang’s desire for power in the power system.The third chapter analyzes the marginal image of Yan Zhihe, an official loser, and his active role played in Chi dawei’s access to official circles.The fourth chapter explores the survival principles of small people through analyzing four types of novel characters.The conclusion part demonstrates that novel characters are often oppressed and restricted by certain system in society instead of adopting traditional redemption modes depending on individual morality and spiritual strength. Based on above character analysis, it reflects that modern intellectual’s fate is significantly challenged by the realistic utilitarian society...