Abstract
This paper is a Chinese translation of the first two parts of Chen Shih-hsiang's English translation of Essay on Literature (Wen Fu). The original title of Chen's paper is "Literature as Light against Darkness," published in the National Peking University Semi-centennial Papers no. 11 (1948). It consists of three parts: The first part includes a biography of Lu Ji and research on the time when Essay on Literature was written. The second part offers understanding and interpretation of several key concepts in Essay on Literature. The third part is a complete translation of Essay on Literature in rhymed English. Chen believed that Essay on Literature was written in the first year of Yongkang under the reign of emperor Hui, Western Jin (300 CE), during the darkest days of Lu Ji's life. The literary calling was very compelling and there was an explosion of creativity. Lu Ji's younger brother Lu Yun commented: "My brother, you wrote so many essays and they are so unorthodox, almost to the degree that they frighten people, so that they are no longer mere essays." Essay on Literature illustrates Lu Ji's views on literature: literature is like a light source in darkness. It possesses transcendental power, and can highlight human resilience and sooth mind and soul. Chen understood Essay on Literature as elaborating on Lu Ji's insights into literary principles, which were comparable with the concerns of western modern literary theories. Consequently, he selected several key concepts to analyze and interpret, to reveal the significance of Essay on Literature for both literary tradition and modernity.
| Translated title of the contribution | Literature as Light Against Darkness |
|---|---|
| Original language | Chinese (Traditional) |
| Pages (from-to) | 5-44 |
| Journal | 政大中文學報 |
| Issue number | 35 |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2021 |
Research Keywords
- 陸機
- 文賦
- 英譯
- 文學觀念
- Lu Ji
- Essay on Literature
- Literary Concepts
- English Translation