Title: The Zen, Tao, and China-related Aesthetics of J. D. Salinger

Abstract: Since World WarⅡ, J. D. Salinger has incorporated elements of ancient Chinese thought into his work as a means of responding to and reflecting on the war and its postwar realities. He draws extensively on ideas conducive to spiritual exploration, with Chinese Zen Buddhism and Taoist philosophy exerting a particularly profound influence on his writing. Moreover, his frequent reference to imagery and ideas from classical Chinese poetry demonstrates his deep interests in Chinese culture. Salinger’s “China complex” closely aligns with both his aesthetic preferences in life and writing and the aesthetic principles of classical Chinese philosophy. His wartime experiences further motivate his engagement with Chinese thought, leading him to absorb the concepts of withdrawal and transcendence from Zen and Taoism, which he expresses through symbolism and allegory in literature. Although his understanding of Chinese philosophy contains certain misinterpretations, his concrete application and representation of Zen and Taoist thought highlight the spiritual strength of Chinese culture and its inspirational value to world literature.

Keywords: J. D. Salinger, China, Zen Buddhism, Taoism

Author: Yixin Lu, Lecturer, School of Foreign Languages, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.

DOI: 10.19967/j.cnki.flc.2025.02.009