Abstract
From the perspective of history of scholarship, contemporary literary theory does not transform or develop in a simple linear fashion, but rather evolves in a more complex spiral cycle, which specifically constitutes three rounds of transformation and development, namely, the three reciprocal stages of breaking established traditions, introducing foreign theoretical resources, and constructing new critical ideas and forms. The external track of development and internal logic of progress of contemporary literary theory are, on the surface, related to the social and cultural structure in the context of grand historical changes, and echoes the developments of modern Chinese literary theory in the past century. Viewed from its core, the development of contemporary literary theory reveals the dialectical relationship and progressive logic of the internal and the external in literary studies. First, it foregrounds the relational dimension of "literary theory," which involves the understanding of literary characteristics and functions, as well as the understanding of the internal and external laws of literature. Second, such development highlights the relational dimension of internal and external literary theory resources, that is, the relation between the inheritance of internal traditions and the reception of external resources. Theoretical reflections upon the reform and development of contemporary literary theory engage studies of the goals and major inquiries during the three stages, the experience and lessons of which are worth exploring.
First Page
1
Last Page
9
Recommended Citation
Lai, Daren. 2020. "The Progressive Logic of Contemporary Literary Theory and Its Theoretical Reflection." Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art 40, (6): pp.1-9. https://tsla.researchcommons.org/journal/vol40/iss6/19
