Theoretical Expansion and Paradigmatic Construction of Ethical Literary Criticism: A Review on the Five-Volume Ethical Literary Criticism Studies

Founded on the traditional Chinese ethical values, Ethical Literary Criticism systematically constructs ethical critical discourses through the examination of ethical values in literary works, which has exhibited distinct subjectivity and self-positioning of Chinese literary scholars. Ethical Literary Criticism has not only the keen consciousness of contemporary issues, but also the strong compatibility of cross-disciplinary studies. With strict theoretical logic and high innovative value, the criticism is also highly enlightening in guiding textual analysis. The five-volume Ethical Literary Criticism Studies, as the marked achievement of recent Ethical Literary Criticism studies, systematically exhibits new researches in the ethical literary field. Among the five volumes, Theoretical Research of Ethical Literary Criticism has greatly expanded the theoretical foundation and enriched related critical discourses by tracing back to the cultural and literary histories both in the East and West and by combing itself with other western literary theories, which shows wide openness, compatibility and comprehensiveness in its theoretical framework. The other four volumes investigate important literary trends, critical schools, literary phenomenon and classical works in American, British, Japanese and Chinese literature and reexamine the ethical values of literary works from both eastern and western cultural contexts. The collaboration of five volumes has constructed the paradigm of Ethical Literary Criticism and serves as a precedent for studying world literature through the perspective Ethical Literary Criticism.