CHINESE LITERATURE IN THE ASPECT OF POLYPHONY

Abstract

The article aims at analyzing Chinese literature in the aspect of polyphony. The theory of polyphonic novel is developed by M.M. Bakhtin as a system in the process of analyzing F.M. Dostoevsky’s novels, but this theory has already spread beyond the artistic world of F.M. Dostoevsky. M.M. Bakhtin’s understanding of polyphony is largely relevant for the works of some Chinese writers. Dialogism turns out to be an important technique with the help of which Chinese writers give their work versatility and polyphony (dialogism in the discouse of one character, dialogue between the author and the character, dialogue between different voices). This article attempts to analyze the works of Chinese literature, from classical works to realistic and modernistic works, in the light of M.M. Bakhtin’s theory of polyphonic novel. In this article special attention is paid to the work of such Chinese writers as Cao Xueqin, Lu Xun and Mo Yan. Based on the analysis, we came to the conclusion that the works of Chinese writers Lu Xun and Mo Yan are characterized by polyphony.