Journal of Qujing Normal University ›› 2024, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (2): 17-23.

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The Satirical Art of Shi Zhecun's Historical Novels

XUN Libo, YI Jin   

  1. School of Humanities, Qujing Normal University, Qujing Yunnan 655011, China
  • Received:2023-11-14 Online:2024-03-26 Published:2024-05-16

Abstract: Shi Zhecun is one of the founders of Chinese modernist novels. He created six historical novels from the 1920s to the 1930s, including “Kumaros” and “Shixiu”, which rewritten historical stories and used Freudian psychoanalysis to delve deeper into the hearts of historical characters, explore their subconscious states, explore the depths of human nature, and expose the unknown inner world of well-known historical characters. The author uses metaphors, exaggerations, contrasts, symbols, and other techniques to reveal the contradictions between “divinity” and “human nature”, “rationality” and “instinct” in plot development and character portrayal. The author restores the “gods” in historical stories to humans, and transforms the deified characters from the sacred to the secular. The description of female characters breaks through the constraints of “tradition”, focusing on the contrast between “facts” and “expressions” Presenting the conflict between human nature and civilization, as well as mocking the hypocrisy and inconsistency of divinity. This sharp satire in stark contrast not only demonstrates a strong critical spirit and cries for the liberation of human nature oppressed by feudal concepts, but also broadens the channels of literary expression and endows historical stories with new life and expressive power.

Key words: Shi Zhecun, Historical novels, psychoanalysis, satire

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