Research On Ding Fan's Literary Criticism

Ding Fan's literary criticism mainly focuses on literary works,phenomena,trends,and study of local novels.Among these,the study of local novels plays a vital part throughout Ding Fan's criticism practice.His proposal of basic forms and aesthetic characteristics(“three paintings and four colors")of local novels has built up his respected position in this field.In regard to Ding Fan's critical method,he adopts both macro and micro approaches to analyze the ideological and artistic qualities of literary works.In addition,Ding Fan adheres to the Marxist literary criticism view,and the criticism standard of "human nature,history,and aesthetics"reflects humanist spirit.Meanwhile,due to his long-term practice of criticism and tendency of intellectual elitism,Ding Fan's literary criticism goes along with uniquesincerity.From his practice of literary criticism,it can be found that his unswerving pursuit of truth,and consistent faith in the true,good,and beautiful values,as well as aesthetic,historical and human concepts.Thisthesis researches the following: first,what content and objects are mainly involved in Ding Fan's literary criticism;second,why these objects are involved;third,how these objects are observed and analyzed.In this thesis,the first chapter is the introduction to this paper.The second chapter presents the three types of objects involved in Ding Fan's literary criticism,namely,criticism on writers' works,literary phenomena and trends,and the study of local novels.In respect to criticism on writers' works,Ding Fanattaches great importance to the rereading of the classic works of modern literature.During rereading of Lu Xun's works,Ding Fan constantly explores and reflects on the balance between literary ideology and artistry.By rereading works of Mao Dun and Lao She,Ding Fan finds the subtle changes in writers' thoughts with their social and historical background considered.Ding Fan also pays sustained attention to the development of contemporary literary.His interaction with writers such as Jia Pingwa and Liu Xinglong reflects honest communication and mutual help between critics and writers.In the discussion of literary phenomena and ideological trends,Ding Fan constantly reflects on the present literary creation and reviews the criticism crisis.Witnessing the loss of sharpness of critical language,Ding Fan begins to call for idealism and romanticism to criticize art,aesthetics,society,and life.In terms of local novels,Ding Fan proposes the basic form of local novel study,and puts forward the aesthetic characteristics of "three paintings and four colors" of local novels.The third chapter describes Ding Fan's critical methods,namely,micro close reading plus macro criticism,which are based on his practice.On the one hand,Ding Fan often reads a piece of work intensively to examine the realistic significance and aesthetic value of it by such elements as image and rhetoric.On the other hand,he often criticizes literary creation of universal and general meaning from the macro perspective.Considering the ideological and artistry elements of works,Ding Fan pays special attention to the connotation of literary works under the influence of hispersonal realism and western theories.Besides,the artistic value of works is also an important criticism parameter.In regard to the thinking mode,Ding Fan uses both reductionismand holism.Hence,heconnects history and reality as well as phenomena and ideological trends during his criticism process.The fourth chapter summarizes Ding Fan's view of literary criticism and characteristics.He adheres to the Marxist literary criticism view throughout his practice and holds a critical position of humanity and humanitarianism.As a result,Ding Fan's criticism view generally reflects sincerity and discourse style with enlightenment of intellectuals.The fifth chapter discusses the contemporary value and enlightenment of Ding Fan's literary criticism.Ding Fan is the connecting link between the critics of the preceding and the following generations.He sticks to the critical spirit of truth,goodness,and beauty,which inspires us to return to the essence of criticism and give play to the unique function of criticism.Ding Fan's literary criticism has the following values in the current literary context:First,the critical spirit is escalated and sublimed.Criticism is broadened to apply not only to literary,but also to culture,thought,society,history and other aspects.Second,the practice of Ding Fan's literary criticism also involves intellectuals' self-reflection,self-criticism and self-enlightenment.The writing of literary criticism can be regarded as technical practice.Self-criticism and enlightenment of intellectuals are of ontological significance.If the subject of criticism has no correct values and profound thoughts,his wordsare bound to miss the point and even deliberately avoid problems.Therefore,thinking on intellectuals is fundamental in Ding Fan's literary criticism.