Research On Zhang Guangnian’s Literary Criticism In The New Era(1977-1986)

Zhang Guangnian is an important literary theorist and critic in the history of modern and contemporary Chinese literature.In 1977,he served as the editor in chief of "People’s Literature" and began to lead the work of rectifying chaos on the literary and artistic front.From 1979 to 1984,he served as the Secretary of the Party Group and Vice Chairman of the Writers’ Association,becoming one of the important leaders of the literary world in the new era and participating in presiding over various matters in the literary world.After stepping down as the Party Secretary of the Writers’ Association in1985,he continued to serve as the Vice Chairman of the Writers’ Association.In the new era of literary revival,Zhang Guangnian participated in many critical activities and wrote a considerable number of critical texts,which were of great significance for liberating the mind,restoring literary order,supporting writers,promoting and maintaining literary prosperity,and promoting literary development.This article selects the critical writings of Zhang Guangnian from 1977 to 1986,which is the first decade of the New Era literature,and combines his critical activities during this period.Through the historical context at that time,it examines how Zhang Guangnian utilized literary criticism to participate in and lead the generation and development of New Era literature,enriching existing research on Zhang Guangnian’s literary thoughts and the history of New Era literature from the perspective of literary criticism.The introduction section elaborates on the time frame and object references of this study,and summarizes existing research on related issues.The main body of the paper is divided into three chapters.The first chapter summarizes the development of Zhang Guangnian’s literary criticism in the new era,dividing it into three time periods: the period of rectifying chaos(1977 1979),the period of literary planning and self-expression(1980 1985),and the period of declining influence(1986 and later).Based on the historical context of each period,the presentation and main content of literary criticism in each stage are summarized.Chapter 2 analyzes the literary concepts and critical paradigms reflected in Zhang Guangnian’s literary criticism in the new era.This article believes that Zhang Guangnian’s literary criticism in the new era reflects his tend to open up realistic literary concepts,specifically manifested in his adherence to realism and limited acceptance of modernism.At the same time,from his literary criticism,we can see that the social history criticism paradigm adopted by Zhang Guangnian is embodied in his adherence to the critical principle of "knowing people and discussing the world" and his emphasis on the social function of literature.Chapter Three explores the historical significance and limitations of Zhang Guangnian’s literary criticism in the new era.In the new era where politics and literature are still closely related,literature remains a typical product of the "integrated" system.Zhang Guangnian,who holds a leading position in the literary and artistic world,plays a crucial role and significance in his thinking and planning of literature under such a system.This significance is mainly reflected in the guidance and construction of literature in the new era,as well as the support and protection of literary writers.Due to the influence of the system and position,Zhang Guangnian’s literary criticism has inevitable limitations of the times,mainly manifested in political utilitarianism and a certain degree of conservatism.