From the beginnings of Wahabism in the 18th century to the so called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant （ISIL, ISIS） violence has occasionally been justified in the name of Islam, which is problematic for secular ...From the beginnings of Wahabism in the 18th century to the so called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant （ISIL, ISIS） violence has occasionally been justified in the name of Islam, which is problematic for secular and traditional scholars alike. This paper demonstrates that there are three complex, interrelated causes for this violence： foreign military intervention, Salafi-Jihadism and a utopian state founded upon faith and justice, i.e. a caliphate.展开更多
When Utopia is re-discussed in the contemporary era, it is no longer just a question about the continued writing of a romantic poem, but a revolutionary political question. As it is the ＂presence＂ of ＂absence＂, th...When Utopia is re-discussed in the contemporary era, it is no longer just a question about the continued writing of a romantic poem, but a revolutionary political question. As it is the ＂presence＂ of ＂absence＂, the charm of Utopia lies in that it is not only distant otherness, but a kind of existence always touching the undercurrent of reality. In contemporary era, Utopia exists in the paradoxical form of dystopia. It is just in the review on Utopia that the political potential of art enables aesthetic Utopia re-enter its promising holy land as a new configuration of contemporary Utopia. However, the practice of aesthetic Utopia is not entirely poetic; on the contrary, there are always many fields which intertwine around and fight against each other between reality and expectations. Therefore, the aesthetic revolution chooses a more prudent way after the passionate release.展开更多
This study seeks to establish the major relevance of the ironic vision embodied in the narrative structure in George Orwell＇s early novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. After providing a comprehensive satisfying examination o...This study seeks to establish the major relevance of the ironic vision embodied in the narrative structure in George Orwell＇s early novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. After providing a comprehensive satisfying examination of the cultural phenomenon that goes by the name of ＂Modernism＂, the world in which the young George Orwell began his literary career; the study will present a critical analyses exploring Orwell＇s novel concerning the past-war ironic dystopian vision, with special reference to his experiment with the ironic narrative techniques and structure.展开更多
Through examining Zhou Zuoren＇s ideal of new village and Lin Yutang＇s novel Unexpected lsland, this article analyzes modem Chinese utopian imaginations inspired by Zhuangzi＇s spirit, which complements what has been...Through examining Zhou Zuoren＇s ideal of new village and Lin Yutang＇s novel Unexpected lsland, this article analyzes modem Chinese utopian imaginations inspired by Zhuangzi＇s spirit, which complements what has been lacking in the modem utopian dream--individual spiritual liberation that resists any despotism of humanity and a more tolerant and multifaceted cultural mentality that fights against the unification of thought.展开更多
The Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer, including Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn, has won multiple awards and is the most popular among young adults. The series is both an unbelievable romance of a 17-...The Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer, including Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn, has won multiple awards and is the most popular among young adults. The series is both an unbelievable romance of a 17-year-old girl and a 104-year-old vampire and an exquisite fantasy of the supernatural and impossible. Typical fantasy elements exploited in the series, including the existence of supernatural creatures, fulfillment of human desires, depiction of the Secondary World, and imagination of a Utopian society, play a significant role in achieving its magic appeal to the readers worldwide. Thus, the present paper attempts to explore how such irresistible attraction is made possible by employing these fantasy elements.展开更多
文摘From the beginnings of Wahabism in the 18th century to the so called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant （ISIL, ISIS） violence has occasionally been justified in the name of Islam, which is problematic for secular and traditional scholars alike. This paper demonstrates that there are three complex, interrelated causes for this violence： foreign military intervention, Salafi-Jihadism and a utopian state founded upon faith and justice, i.e. a caliphate.
文摘When Utopia is re-discussed in the contemporary era, it is no longer just a question about the continued writing of a romantic poem, but a revolutionary political question. As it is the ＂presence＂ of ＂absence＂, the charm of Utopia lies in that it is not only distant otherness, but a kind of existence always touching the undercurrent of reality. In contemporary era, Utopia exists in the paradoxical form of dystopia. It is just in the review on Utopia that the political potential of art enables aesthetic Utopia re-enter its promising holy land as a new configuration of contemporary Utopia. However, the practice of aesthetic Utopia is not entirely poetic; on the contrary, there are always many fields which intertwine around and fight against each other between reality and expectations. Therefore, the aesthetic revolution chooses a more prudent way after the passionate release.
文摘This study seeks to establish the major relevance of the ironic vision embodied in the narrative structure in George Orwell＇s early novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. After providing a comprehensive satisfying examination of the cultural phenomenon that goes by the name of ＂Modernism＂, the world in which the young George Orwell began his literary career; the study will present a critical analyses exploring Orwell＇s novel concerning the past-war ironic dystopian vision, with special reference to his experiment with the ironic narrative techniques and structure.
文摘Through examining Zhou Zuoren＇s ideal of new village and Lin Yutang＇s novel Unexpected lsland, this article analyzes modem Chinese utopian imaginations inspired by Zhuangzi＇s spirit, which complements what has been lacking in the modem utopian dream--individual spiritual liberation that resists any despotism of humanity and a more tolerant and multifaceted cultural mentality that fights against the unification of thought.
文摘The Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer, including Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn, has won multiple awards and is the most popular among young adults. The series is both an unbelievable romance of a 17-year-old girl and a 104-year-old vampire and an exquisite fantasy of the supernatural and impossible. Typical fantasy elements exploited in the series, including the existence of supernatural creatures, fulfillment of human desires, depiction of the Secondary World, and imagination of a Utopian society, play a significant role in achieving its magic appeal to the readers worldwide. Thus, the present paper attempts to explore how such irresistible attraction is made possible by employing these fantasy elements.
