An Introduction to Theories of Literary Genre: From Plato to Derrida

As one of the oldest categories in literary theory, literary genres occupy a significant position in literary research. Commonly referred to as “wenti” or “ticai” in Chinese, genre studies constitute an integral part of traditional Chinese literary theory. China’s ancient genre theories are deeply rooted in history, with a long-standing tradition that dates back to the pre-Qin (prior to 221 BCE) era. Over the centuries, generations of literary masters and theorists continuously explored genres, maintaining strong research vitality even during the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties.

However, Western genre theory remains relatively unfamiliar to Chinese scholars. Even when introduced, discussions often lack detail and coherence, with few attempts to systematically trace the history of Western genre theory across time. An Introduction to Theories of Literary Genre: From Plato to Derrida, by Chen Jun, curator of Nanjing Library, systematically outlines the development of Western genre theories, catering to the needs of Chinese academic circles while taking a solid step forward in facilitating mutual learning between Chinese and Western genre theory.

The book proceeds with genre theory in pre-Platonic ancient Greece, highlighting Plato’s reflections on poetry and philosophy, which laid a solid foundation for later genre research. It concludes with genre research in the vortex of Derrida’s deconstructionism, where Derrida’s theories dismantle the logocentric underpinnings of traditional genre studies. Chen divides Western genre theory into three stages: classical, modern, and post-modern, clarifying the diverse forms of genre theory throughout the history of Western literary theory and delineating the logical trajectory of its emergence and development.

From a macro perspective, genre is not an isolated phenomenon, but deeply embedded in specific social and cultural contexts. The evolution of genres is intricately interwoven with literary and philosophical trends and schools. This connection not only reveals the inner dynamics driving genre evolution, but also provides valuable insights for understanding its connotations and extensions. From a micro perspective, genre research is closely related to other propositions of literary theory.

In addition to mapping the historical development of genre theory, Chen also delves into core issues such as genre and its literary essence, literary functions, as well as literary creation and acceptance. He goes beyond superficial descriptions and generalizations, seeking to uncover the interplay between genres and literature. Through critical reflection, Chen reevaluates existing genre theories, inquiring into genre-related literary propositions and portraying a comprehensive and in-depth landscape of genre theory research.

Wang Qi is an associate professor from the School of Humanities at Dalian University of Technology.