Exploring cross-cultural narratives in literary studies: tradition, subjectivity, and strategy: an interview with Xiuyan Fu and Marco Caracciolo

Abstract This interview article explores the dynamic intersections of cross-cultural narratology, focusing on three key dimensions: narrative tradition, narrative subjectivity, and narrative strategy. Through a conversation with two distinguished scholars – Professor Xiuyan Fu and Professor Marco Caracciolo – this discussion bridges Eastern and Western literary narrative traditions, delving into how cultural contexts shape narrative theories, how non-human entities contribute to the construction of narrative subjectivity, and how the concept of slow narrative functions as a narrative strategy in shaping modern literary narrative theory. The selection of these two interviewees is of considerable academic importance. Professor Xiuyan Fu is a leading figure in the field of Chinese narratology, renowned for his in-depth research on the narrative structures of traditional Chinese literature and their contemporary significance. His work not only provides an essential perspective on how cultural traditions shape narrative forms but also highlights the unique contributions of Chinese narratology within global narrative studies. Professor Marco Caracciolo is one of the foremost scholars in cognitive narratology and materiality studies in the West. His research has had a significant impact on narrative experience, embodied cognition, and environmental storytelling. He particularly examines how narrative engages readers’ embodied experiences and how non-human perspectives challenge anthropocentric narratives in the Anthropocene. His work not only expands the boundaries of narratology but also advances academic discussions in posthumanism and ecocriticism, offering new theoretical frameworks for narrative studies in contemporary interdisciplinary literature. By engaging in this dialogue, the interview aims to provide fresh insights into the future development of literary theory, particularly at the intersection of ecocriticism, narratology, and the digital humanities. The perspectives of these two scholars will contribute to these evolving academic fields while offering valuable guidance and reflections for emerging scholars.