Tao,Reading And Criticism

C.S.Lewis was an influential figure in English Literature and Theology during the 20th century.He was a writer,a literary critic and a Christian protector.He critically pointed out that literary criticism couldn't leave the Tao of objective value,as criticism will lose it's roots without the Tao of objective value.The thesis intends to outline three dimensions of Lewis literature view based on the scrutinization of the context.The thesis consists of three parts:the introduction,the three-chapter main body and the conclusion.The introduction part summarizes the basic situation of C.S.Lewis's life,academics and beliefs.The demonstration on the feasibility and necessity of the research on Lewis's literary view is on the basis of carding the current situation and existing problems of relevant research in domestic and foreign academic circles.The first chapter expounds the foundation of C.S.Lewis's literary view.Beginning with a close reading of The Abolition of Man,the paper reveals the connotation of the Tao of objective value,which Lewis insisted on,thus to point out that it's exactly because of the acceptance and respect for the Tao that it can't be prevailed by human's will,from which Lewis derived his view of literary criticism.The second chapter cards the basic content of Lewis's view on reading.First,Lewis suggested that the language of literary texts not only reflect the real world outside the language,but also the public consciousness out of the individual himself.Second,Lewis believed that it was not enough to merely understand the meaning of the text,as well one needed to find the meaning of the author's intention.Furthermore,Lewis saw the importance of the text itself,and regarded the text as a self-contained art.By scrutinizing the text,it is possible to obtain a literal experience of content for whats intrinsic to the form of the text and inseparable from the form.It is worth mentioning that Lewis attached great importance to the reading relationship between readers and texts,and put forward important concepts such as Kindness,Selflessness and Encountering.The third chapter examines Lewis's insights of literary criticism.In Lewis's view,literary criticism was an extension of reading should not be overshadowed but directs the reader's vision into the work itself through the methodology.A good critic must be a good reader at first,and the primary purpose of criticism is to assist reading.C.S.Lewis's understanding of the Tao of objective value and literary criticism provides some reference and inspiration for the current Chinese critics.