CONCEPT OF ‘RÉN’ IN THE PROSE OF ZHOU ZUOREN

Abstract

Zhou Zuoren is a well-known prose writer and a literary critic in the history of modern Chinese literature. He has a rich collection of his original writings and also translated a considerable number of works from other foreign languages as well. His literary creation is actually the embodiment of his literary theory. This paper aims to explore the rich connotation and unique nature of Zhou Zuoren's literary thoughts. The paper tries to explore and analyse the concept of ‘rén’ [人, which means ‘human being’] as depicted in the prose of Zhou Zuoren. The research is based on the literature review, which focuses on the ideological origin of Zhou Zuoren's literary views, and the study of Zhou Zuoren's literary thoughts. The various aspects of literary views, literary functionalism and literary history are the focus of Zhou Zuoren's literary thoughts. Findings in the present research describes that Zhou Zuoren's spiritual value and his orientation towards ‘humanistic literature’ is an integral aspect of his literary views and his concept of rén.