- 期刊
- OpenAccess
Chinese Contemplation: Hermann Hesse and Chinese Literature
摘要
As a freelance writer Hermann Hesse offered a unique commentary on Chinese literature through publishing over twenty book reviews on Chinese lyrics, dramas, short stories and novels between 1907 and 1935. This is a symbol of his appreciation of the uniqueness and richness of Chinese literature. However, it is also significant to note and understand that Hesse's comprehension and interpretation, infused with his personal subjectivity, often deviated from the traditional Chinese cultural context. This paper tries to delve into Hesse's praise for and interpretations of Chinese literature, juxtaposing his perspectives with those of Chinese and other Western scholars. As a result, it also reveals the correspondence between Hesse's views on Chinese poetics and his own creative works. We argue that Hesse's critique of Chinese literature was not merely an aesthetic dialogue between different traditions within Goethe's Weltliteratur (world literature), but also reflects his own writing style. Moreover, this discussion highlights the potential of Chinese classics to enrich modern Western literature through translation and reinterpretation.