The Narrative Function of "Silence" in New Local Literature: Taking "Aphasia Silence" of Han Shan and "Intergenerational Silence" of The Slowest Is Alive as Examples
Abstract
New local literature inherits the tradition of local literature, focuses on the changes of rural structure and cultural form in the social transformation stage after the 1980s, and pays attention to practical problems such as the loss of labor force and the difference between urban and rural areas. It has the significance of emphasizing history and reflecting reality. "Silence narrative" involves a multidisciplinary research category and is an important branch of narratology in the field of literary research. This paper uses the methods of literature review and case analysis to explore the differences and commonalities of different forms of "silence" in text structure, theme expression and characterization by analyzing the "aphasia silence" of Han Shan and the "intergenerational silence" of The Slowest Is Alive. This paper reveals the realistic problems such as the tragic fate of local individuals and the gap of intergenerational communication behind this kind of "silent narrative", as well as its reference value for interpreting the current rural spiritual ecology and interpersonal relationship changes. This study shows that "Silence" in new local literature is a special narrative mode in the specific era of new local China, which carries the individual’s life dilemma and the change of the times. "Aphasia silence" has the narrative function of psychological trauma and external redemption. "Intergenerational silence" reflects the relationship between local ethics and emotional estrangement, which enriches the narrative paradigm of new local literature. This kind of "silent narrative" not only echoes the current practical problems such as the care of rural trauma groups and the imbalance of intergenerational communication, but also provides a unique literary perspective for interpreting the rural spiritual ecology in the period of social transformation.
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