A Chinese Look at Literature: The Literary Values of Chou Tso-jen in Relation to the Tradition delves into the complex and fascinating literary philosophy of Chou Tso-jen, a key figure in modern Chinese literature. Blending traditional Chinese values with a modern, Western-educated perspective, Chou's work offers a rare lens through which to explore the intersections of cultural heritage and contemporary thought. This book focuses on the middle period of Chou's career, a time when he withdrew from national politics to concentrate on literary and cultural questions. It provides a nuanced analysis of his ideas about literature while situating them within the broader context of Chinese critical traditions, including comparisons to the Kung-an and T’ung-ch’eng schools. With a balanced view, the author examines Chou's essays and their interplay of modern rationalism and age-old Chinese aesthetic principles.

The book also includes an exploration of Chou's biography, from his early education in naval studies to his formative years in Japan, where he developed his deep engagement with foreign literatures. It traces his influential role in China's New Culture Movement and the intellectual challenges he faced during times of political upheaval, including his controversial collaboration with the Japanese during their occupation of China. By contextualizing Chou’s work within both his personal history and the traditions he sought to reinterpret, this study illuminates the enduring relevance of his contributions to Chinese literature and criticism. It is an invaluable resource for readers seeking a deeper understanding of modern Chinese intellectual history and its enduring dialogue with its rich cultural past.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1973.