Studying Chinese Literature In China vs. Abroad

[natra]

Are there any literature people here?

I am American and next semester will begin a masters program in Chinese lit at a well known Chinese university. My emphasis will be on modern Chinese literature.

Their literature program is top-notch in the Chinese university rankings. However, I have heard that there are quite a few differences in the approach to literary studies in China versus in the US.

It seems reasonable to me. China does not have the same history of literary studies as in the west, and the general impulse in China when approaching literature is to look at the text solely in terms of its historical context. I have read that there is generally not any use of literary theory in analysis, and that interpretation is based on an assumption that the text conveys a singular meaning. One example of this would probably be the huge disparity in 红楼梦 studies done in China and from scholars in the US... For example, 胡适's 《红楼梦考证》as compared to Anthony Yu's Rereading the Stone.

Anyway, how much do you think a Communist or nationalist bias will influence my studies of modern lit?

[gato]

A Communist/nationalist bias is inevitable if you study literature in China, but on the other hand, your Chinese is likely to improve much more quickly if you are studying in China instead of in the US. But if your goal is academia, you should do both and take the best of what each has to offer.

钱理群's book on modern Chinese literature is quite a good read.

http://book.douban.com/subject/1066627/

钱理群

[kdavid]

Which university will you be studying at, and under whom?

Contrary to popular belief, not all prominent intellectuals, including those in influential positions at top universities, teach with a Communist bias. 汪晖, a Qinghua Professor of Chinese Lit, for example, is one of the leaders of the 新左派.

I imagine that if you were studying under him, you'd probably get a non-Communist view on modern literature.

Edited April 5, 2010 at 12:22 PM by kdavid

[gato]

New Left is pro-Communist, whereas the right is anti-Communist. 钱理群 is among the anti-Communist faction, whereas 汪辉 is among the pro-government Left.

[taylor04]

I had a teacher(American) who taught American literature in China for a year. He tried having classes as he did in the US only with Chinese people. They would be given something to read and then they would discuss the underlying meanings of the story in class. Apparently it was a complete failure. I want to say it is the Chinese mindset but it could also be because they were reading English books. They would basically repeat what was written in the story instead of forming their own opinions about it.

[natra]

I would rather not say which university I will be attending.

Anyway, I will need to buy a copy of 《中国现代文学三十年》.

[kdavid]

New Left is pro-Communist, whereas the right is anti-Communist. 钱理群 is among the anti-Communist faction, whereas 汪辉 is among the pro-government Left.

To take this post in a completely different direction, isn't the New Left more oriented toward liberalism and social democracy than Communism?

I've just started reading about all of this. Gato, if you could provide some links clarifying your thoughts I'd appreciate it!

[gato]

The New Left is primarily known (i) nationalism, (ii) anti-West, (iii) appeal to native traditions, (iv) desire for a strong government, (v) concern about social inequality, among some Leftist, though so-call "Rightists" tend to be more vocal in criticizing the growing social inequality than "Leftists". In other words, Leftists in China would be considered right-winger in the West.

The difference between Left and New Left is that the New Left is more fond of using the terminologies of French theorists like Foucault and Derrida, in attacking Western cultural imperialism.

See this comparison of Right and Left by a Xu Youyu, a prominent liberal (or 右派 in Chinese terminology):

http://shiweike.blog.hexun.com/35998315_d.html

徐友渔:进入21世纪的自由主义和新左派

For a somewhat different view, see this fairly positive profile of Wang Hui in the NY Times magazine from a few years ago:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/15/magazine/15leftist.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

China's New Leftist

By PANKAJ MISHRA

Published: October 15, 2006

[kdavid]

Hi, Gato. Great stuff. Thanks!

[Kenny同志]

I had a teacher(American) who taught American literature in China for a year. He tried having classes as he did in the US only with Chinese people. They would be given something to read and then they would discuss the underlying meanings of the story in class. Apparently it was a complete failure. I want to say it is the Chinese mindset but it could also be because they were reading English books. They would basically repeat what was written in the story instead of forming their own opinions about it.

My personal experiences don't agree with your teacher's. From junior middle school up to now, my classmates and I are always required to give our own views on a particular issue. When I was attending 国文课 at my younger age, we were required to analyse the text in detail and form our own ideas.