Title: On the Literariness and Literary Aesthetic Practice in the Post-theory Era

Abstract: Contemporary theories have deconstructed the concepts of literature and literariness, as well as the conventional aesthetic values and criticism associated with them, leading literary studies toward cultural studies. While these theories employed in cultural studies reject the idea of a fixed essence in literature, dismiss traditional aesthetics, and broaden the conceptions of literature and literariness, they also introduce new ways to deepen our understanding of literariness and challenge established aesthetic perspectives. In the “post-theory” era, new formalism emphasizes not only traditional aesthetic forms but also the socio-historical contexts that shape them, aiming to integrate both aspects. The theory of “literary event” further highlights the individualized nature of reading and aesthetic experience. These emerging literary theoretical approaches pave the way for combining literary forms with social and historical backgrounds, merging literariness with aesthetics, and balancing theoretical exploration with aesthetic practice. Furthermore, these renewed perspectives on literary aesthetics also revitalize the potential of literary education, with a focus on cultivating aesthetic awareness and competence.

Keywords: cultural studies, literariness, literary aesthetic practice, new formalism, the post-theory era

Author: Mingjian Zha, Professor, Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai, China.

DOI: 10.19967/j.cnki.flc.2024.04.001