“The Sinicization of Western Literary Theory”: From Disciplinary Formation to National Strategy

This essay examines the phenomenon of “Sinicization of Western literary theory” through the lens of Wenyixue (“Studies of Literature and Art”), a uniquely Chinese academic discipline shaped by the complex interplay between socialist cultural politics, imported theoretical frameworks, and indigenous intellectual traditions. Tracing Wenyixue’s evolution from its revolutionary institutionalization (1949–1976) through Reform Era transformation (1979–1989) to contemporary theorization (1990–present), this essay analyzes how the discipline has negotiated tensions between political instrumentality and scholarly autonomy, between Western methodologies and Chinese cultural resources. The mid-1990s “aphasia” debate—which diagnosed Chinese literary theory’s perceived dependence on Western discourse—marked a pivotal moment in reconceptualizing the relationship between indigenous and imported theoretical traditions. Since 2014, this academic concern has evolved into a national strategic priority under the mandate to “construct a discourse system with Chinese characteristics,” representing the convergence of scholarly inquiry with state cultural objectives. The six articles in this special issue collectively demonstrate that Sinicization transcends mere academic borrowing, revealing instead a complex process of theoretical innovation that both preserves and transforms Chinese and Western intellectual traditions. This development offers crucial insights for understanding contemporary global intellectual culture in an increasingly interconnected yet culturally diverse world.