Examining the possibility of a representing the “A general theory of Novel” that will oversee the discourse of Chinese Modern Literature : Based on Guan, Da-Ru’s ｢Shuo xiaoshuo(說小說)｣ and Lü, Si-Mian’s ｢Xiaoshuo conghua(小說叢話)｣

This paper is part of a study on the literary discourse of this period, which was shaped by a series of discussions on the novel after the rediscovery of the novel from the values of the times in modern China. Therefore, this paper examines the possibility of establishing a representative 'general theory of the novel' to oversee the literary discourse of modern China amidst a series of discussions to build a modern Chinese literary theory. To this end, this study examines the main theses of Guan, Da-Ru and Lü, Si-Mian's theses, using 『Shosetsu Shinzui(小說神髓)』 as a representative modern literary theory work in Japan, and Guan Da-Ru(管達如)'s ｢Shuo xiaoshuo(說小說｣ and Lü, Si-Mian(呂思勉)'s ｢Xiaoshuo conghua(小說叢話)｣ as comparable Chinese fiction theses. First, we compare the categories of discussion between ｢Shuo xiaoshuo(說小說)｣ and ｢Xiaoshuo conghua(小說叢話)｣, and then examine the themes of 『Shosetsu Shinzui(小說神髓)』 for reference. The main themes of both Guan, Da-Ru and Lü, Si-Mian's papers, namely the nature, typology, and creation of the novel, are then analyzed in terms of the synthesis and limitations of the existing discourse. In conclusion, the paper discusses the status and significance of ｢Shuo xiaoshuo(說小說)｣, ｢Xiaoshuo conghua(小說叢話)｣ as a comprehensive theory of modern Chinese fiction.