VAI TRÒ CỦA ĐẠI HỌC, BÁO CHÍ VÀ XUẤT BẢN TRONG VIỆC DU NHẬP CÁC LÝ THUYẾT VĂN HỌC PHƯƠNG TÂY VÀO MIỀN NAM VIỆT NAM GIAI ĐOẠN 1954-1975

Abstract

Between 1954 and 1975, Western literary theories (psychoanalysis, existentialism, phenomenalism, structuralism, New Criticism, and so on) were introduced to Vietnam through three primary routes. - Universities. In accordance to the educational principles “humanistic, nationalistic, and liberal” of the Republic of Vietnam, all the literature colleges and departments in Saigon, Hue, Dalat, and Can Tho included theories of aesthetics and modern literature in their teaching programs. This led to the emergence of writers and literary critics who were influenced by Western art ideologies. - Journalism. In a diverse and complex journalism, periodicals played a part in spreading Western literary theories. There were two types: scholarly journals, which were founded by educational organizations or university professors, and literary magazines, which published research and criticism along with creative writing. Among the second type, some periodicals focused in literature while others also discussed politics, social issues, cultures, and arts. - Publication. A majority of research and translation works related to Western literary theories authored by Vietnamese scholars living within and outside the country were published in book format, in addition to some journal publications. The book list reflected the publisher’s direction of publication, for instance, text-books, modernization, engaged Buddhism, or engaged Catholicism. It can be said that universities, journalism and publishing all contributed to the introduction of Western literary theories into South Vietnam, which in turn influenced the writers and literary critics and, to a certain extent, affected the literary taste of readers.