What question did this study set out to answer?

This analysis aims to explore how Chinese literature navigates global literary discourse post-1911.

May 30, 2026

The China Question of World Literature

Key Points

This analysis aims to explore how Chinese literature navigates global literary discourse post-1911.
Examined sociocultural practices and literary contributions of notable Chinese intellectuals
Compared metaphorical and metonymic approaches to global literary engagement
Highlighted shifts in strategies from translation to active participation in global meaning-making
Pre-21st century, Chinese intellectuals favored metaphorical methods to integrate with world literature.
In the new century, the focus transitioned to a metonymic approach, emphasizing active involvement in global literary contexts.
The evolution reflects broader changes in how Chinese literature responds to global cultural dynamics.

Abstract

Abstract After China's feudal dynasties ended and the new republic was founded in 1911, how Chinese literature could break through the world censorship system operated by a Euro-American-centric discourse network became an important question for Chinese intellectuals. This analysis of the sociocultural practices and literary writings of the Chinese intellectuals Yan Fu, Liang Qichao, Lu Xun, Ba Jin, Chen Qiufan, Liu Cixin, and Chen Yingsong shows that modern Chinese intellectuals mainly took the metaphorical approach to associate Chinese literature with the world literary system, focusing on reconstituting Chinese literary contents and form by translating and incorporating literatures of other countries. In contrast, in the new century Chinese intellectuals shift their attention to the metonymic approach of worlding Chinese literature. They emphasize participating in the signification chain of the meaning-making process of the global context.

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