The Great Tradition
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Summary
The book not only established "a right sense of difference" in the field of novel criticism, providing professors and students in English departments of Western universities with an authoritative reading list of novels, but also offered a paradigm and direction for later cultural studies of the Birmingham School, occupying a position in the history of English literary criticism that cannot be ignored.
Editor's review
The editor sees at least three layers of value in reading this book. First, it is an excellent model for learning close reading; Leavis's analyses of specific passages are extraordinarily subtle, showing criticism as a creative intellectual activity. Second, it is an exercise in thought: readers are forced to consider fundamental concepts such as "greatness," "tradition," and "value," and may have their own literary tastes challenged. Third, the book's argument extends well beyond literature to education, cultural authority, and the crisis of modernity; its opposition between "the culture of a minority" and mass civilization is, if anything, more relevant in today's information age. Yuan Wei's translation is accurate and fluent, and the notes especially help readers understand the complex literary-historical background and intellectual context, making this difficult work more approachable.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers with a deep interest in the history of the English novel and literary criticism theory
- Advanced literature enthusiasts seeking to improve their close reading and analytical skills
- Humanities and social science researchers concerned with cultural criticism, intellectual history, and modernity
- Readers seeking to challenge their own literary standards and think deeply
Not a good fit for
- Casual fiction readers seeking light entertainment or plot summaries
- Beginning readers impatient with theoretical or argumentative writing, or new to literary criticism
Reading tips
- Read the appendix or introduction first to learn about Leavis's life, his "Scrutiny" method, and the book's historical position before entering the main text.
- Compare the analyses with the original novels or passages mentioned, testing Leavis's readings and forming your own judgments.
- You need not fully agree with Leavis's conclusions; focus on learning his logic of argument and analysis, and consider the applicability and limits of his standards today.
About the publisher
SDX Joint Publishing Company is a publisher known for its humanities and social science titles, covering classics, culture, history, social fiction and politics. Its catalogue of 826 books includes Chinese and foreign literary classics such as The Scholars, Camel Xiangzi and Selected Short Stories of Chekhov, scholarly works such as Studies of Chinese Cave Temples, A Study of the Tuoba History (Revised Edition) and The Nine-Rank System: A Prehistory of the Imperial Examination, and translations such as Red Star Over China and Notes from the House of the Dead. Its authors include renowned Chinese and foreign writers such as Wu Jingzi, Lao She, Su Bai and Chekhov, as well as scholars and translators such as Chen Xiaoming, Wang Benhua, Guo Changbao and Zhu Xiansheng. Its publishing character lies in balancing the popularisation of classics with academic depth, with attention to textual quality and the transmission of knowledge.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 作者简介
- “文化：中国与世界”编委会
- 序 弗·雷·利维斯和《伟大的传统》
- 致谢
- 第一章 伟大的传统
- 第二章 乔治·艾略特
- 早期
- 从《罗慕拉》到《米德尔马契》
- 《丹尼尔·狄隆达》与《一位女士的画像》
- 第三章 亨利·詹姆斯
- 早期至《一位女士的画像》
- 晚期的詹姆斯
- 第四章 约瑟夫·康拉德
- 次要作品和《诺斯特罗莫》
- 《胜利》《特务》《在西方的眼睛下》和《机缘》
- 第五章 《艰难时世》
- 分析笔记
- 附录 《〈丹尼尔·狄隆达〉：一场谈话》
- 译者附言
- 译注参照
FAQ
Why does Leavis exclude Dickens from the core of the "great tradition"?
Can I understand this book without having read all the authors and works it discusses?
Are the book's views outdated today?
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About the author
F. R. Leavis was a British literary critic, though the publicly available information in our records about his life and educational background is limited. Based on the existing information, his impression on Chinese readers comes mainly from The Great Tradition. The book is regarded as an important work in the field of literary appreciation and criticism, exploring the formation and continuity of the novel tradition and embodying the distinctive features of Leavisian criticism: close reading of texts, emphasis on the moral seriousness and aesthetic value of literary works, and opposition to vague impressionistic commentary. His writing is rigorous and direct, with clear judgments, often developed through discussion of specific works, and has thus had a lasting influence on readers interested in literary appreciation. At present, our records include only one of his works; more reliable material is needed to supplement information about his nationality, dates of birth and death, and full academic career.
Yuan Wei is an author about whom little public information is available; five works are listed under this name in the database, covering both literature and personal finance. In literature, Yuan participated in translating T. S. Eliot's verse drama Murder in the Cathedral, included in the Eliot collected works, and is also associated with works such as The Great Tradition, indicating engagement with the translation and appreciation of foreign literature. In finance, Yuan wrote a beginner's guide to reading stock candlestick (K-line) charts, explaining basic chart reading and its practical use for general readers. The writing thus spans classic literary translation and accessible investment primers, touching on folk literature, literary appreciation, and personal finance. Available sources give no nationality, dates, or personal biography; this profile is based solely on the listed works.
