Reconstruction and Dialogue Between Chinese and Western Literary Theory Systems from the Perspective of De Gay

Abstract

The 3rd to 6th centuries was a period of social change in China, with political and economic mechanisms in an unstable state. The social outlook of this period was also reflected in literature and literary criticism, presented in various articles, and led to the analysis of different styles. This article is based on the first chapter of De Gay's "Genre theory in China in the 3rd-6th centuries". It analyzes De Gay's views on the beginning of Chinese style theory from the proposition of Chinese style theory in the 3rd to 6th centuries, summarizes De Gay's insights on the origins of Chinese style theory and analyzes the style perspectives of typical literati within the text, and the cultural interpretation of Chinese style theory in the 3rd to 6th centuries. Furthermore, it offers a cross-cultural perspective on the fragmented and unorganized discussions surrounding the nascent stage of Chinese style theory prior to 'Wen Xin Diao Long' and explains the historical environment characteristics of this period and the style of typical literati. The chapter elucidates and interprets its primary content and viewpoints through a cross-cultural lens, encompassing psychological, sociological, cultural, and global perspectives.