Abstract

Native Son is a representative work of the famous African-American writer Richard Wright in the 20th century, regarded by some western critics as a milestone in American literature. Although this novel was first strongly criticized by many writers and critics, the real value of the novel has been recognized later.  Since the novel was first introduced in China in, it has been approached by many Chinese scholars and critics. Shi Xianrong is the first one who translated Native Son into Chinese, and this Chinese version offered an access for more Chinese scholars to the reading and study of this novel. The thesis is a complete survey to the translation and criticism of the novel in China. The thesis consists of four parts. Part one is the introduction to Richard Wright and Native Son and the general academic attention to Native Son in China. Part two introduces Shi’s version and its influence. Part three summarizes the scholarship on Native Son in China divided into three periods and from eight perspectives. Part four makes an analysis why Native Son catches Chinese scholars’ attention and its influence on the development of Chinese literature.

Key words: Native Son; China; translation; criticism

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Introduction to Richard Wright and Native Son-1

1.2 The attention to Native Son in China-2

2. The translation of Native Son-3

2.1 The translation by Shi Xianrong-3

2.2 The value and influence of this translation-3

3. Criticism on Native Son in China-5

3.1 Criticism in three periods-5

3.2 Criticism from eight perspectives-6

3.3 Inadequacy of the previous studies-9

4. The influence of Native Son on Chinese literature-11

Conclusion-13

References-14