Optimization： Issues of Literary Theories in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

ZENG Jun

（School of Literature， Shanghai University， Shanghai 200444）

Abstract： The term \"optimization\" denotes the process of enhancing things through specific measures. In the realms of computer science and operations research， optimization involves selecting the most effective method within defined constraints to achieve the desired outcome. Introducing optimization into literary theory can be compared to \"beautification\"， with both similarities and distinctions between the two concepts. Within generative AI， optimization manifests in three forms： training， prompts， and iterations. The optimization of literary and artistic works hinges on their material mediums and their potential for refinement.

The evolution of optimizing artworks has progressed through three stages： manual optimization， mechanical reproduction optimization， and AI optimization. During the era of manual optimization， various forms of \"pseudooptimization\" emerged， including polishing and revising manuscripts， fine-tuning instruments， duplicating， transcribing， or even rewriting original works， as well as restoring cultural artifacts and archaeological sites. The era of mechanical reproduction optimization introduced categories such as \"parameter optimization\"， \"editing optimization\"， and \"performance optimization\". In the digital age， AI optimization driven by algorithms has become prevalent.

When incorporating optimization into literary theories， it’s important to be cautious of several paradoxes. Firstly， while aiming for \"optimized\" results， it’s essential to recognize that these outcomes may not be unique but rather commonplace. Secondly， biases present in data and variables may prove difficult to rectify and， paradoxically， can exacerbate biases， leading to prejudices. Thirdly， randomness doesn’t always signify divergence but rather similarity and the recurrence of stylistic elements.

Keywords： optimization； potential for refinement； era of AI； media art history； issues of literary theories

A Hundred Years of \"Blessings\"： the Broken Interactional Ritual Chains and Aunt Xianglin’s Three Questions

HU Jianhua

（Center for Linguistics and Applied Linguistics， Guangdong University of Foreign Studies， Guangzhou 510420）

Abstract： Lu Xun’s \"Blessings\" has been published for a hundred years. Over the past century， the critiques of\"Blessings\" have mostly focused on the persecution of Aunt Xianglin by feudal ethics and old superstitions， yet this article attempts to provide a different perspective. Aunt Xianglin did not die because of specific individuals representing feudal ethics （Lord Lu） or old superstitions （Mrs. Liu）， but rather of the broken Interactional Ritual Chains， the biggest challenge after her being widowed for a second time and returning to Luzhen. She raised her famous three questions was directly because the broken interactional ritual chains led to the disintegration of her social relationships upon which she relied for survival. Additionally， this article discusses the story’s title，\"Blessings\"， and the name of its heroine， Xianglin， believing that these words carry special meanings.

Keywords： Lu Xun； \"Blessings\"； Aunt Xianglin； interactional ritual chains； recursive soul； three questions of the soul

Primitivism and the Sublime in Barnett Newman’s Art

ZHOU Jiwu， ZHOU Shang

（School of Arts， Nanjing University， Nanjing 210093）

Abstract： As an artist of the New York School， Barnett Newman infused profound emotions into his art during the post-World War II era. His works feature titles with primitivist inclinations and color field paintings with zipper-like elements， eliciting feelings of confusion or wonder and evoking instinctual emotions and spiritual insights. Newman sought to capture the sublime in his art within a world devoid of grandeur and mythology， embodying an avant-garde spirit.

Keywords： Barnett Newman； primitivist leanings； the sublime； avant-garde

Liangzhu Culture’s Cong and Bi as Measurement Units and the Astronomical Connotations of Their Decorations

YIN Rongfang

（Department of Public Teaching， Shanghai Customs College， Shanghai 201204）

Abstract： In Liangzhu culture， the cong symbolizes the quan （a balance or scale）， while the bi serves as a ruler for measuring length. Similarly， many jade artifacts， such as huang， were utilized as measurement units. The precision requirements of measurement units concerning weight， length， and volume elevate these artifacts to royal tokens and symbols of power. The determination of ancient measurement units is intricately linked to the lunar calendar， whose origin can be traced back to the Big Dipper. In ancient times， there were nine stars in this constellation， with the fourth named the Quan star and the fifth Yuheng （the same as the name of the \"bowl\" of the Dipper）. The two stars at the Dipper’s \"handle\"， Xuange and Zhaoyao， are referred to as the \"heavenly bees\"， representing the quan and the heng as well as the Dipper. The two divine/animal faces on Liangzhu’s cong depict patterns not of pigs or birds but of bees. The so-called \"cicada patterns\" on later artifacts may actually be a misinterpretation of the bee patterns.

Keywords： Liangzhu culture； cong； bi； measurement unit； Big Dipper； bee pattern

Image of Liangzhu in Foreign Online Media

LI Xiaohong， QIAN Yufang

（School of Tourism and Foreign Languages， Tourism College of Zhejiang， Hangzhou 311231； School of Foreign Languages， Zhejiang Gongshang University， Hangzhou 310018）

Abstract： As a \"rediscovered\" regional culture， Liangzhu culture played a crucial role in the history of Chinese civilization. This study utilizes the NOWnews corpus and employs a combined method of corpus analysis and discourse analysis. It quantitatively analyzes the structure， meaning， and social attributes of the discourse in foreign online media reports on Liangzhu from the perspectives of word frequency statistics， collocation analysis， and index line analysis. Additionally， it incorporates discourse analysis for textual description， combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. This study observes the discourse and image of Liangzhu in foreign online media， proposing methods to enhance Liangzhu’s international image.

Keywords： Liangzhu； online media； image； research； NOWnews corpus； discourse analysis

Visual Reconstruction and Lineage Naming of the Weishou Images of the Han Dynasty in Nanbei Zhai， Yinan： Responding to Discussions on The Wu Liang Shrine through a Visual History Case

ZHANG Qiang

（School of Visual Arts， Sichuan Fine Arts Institute， Chongqing 401331）

Abstract： In contemporary researches on ancient Chinese sculptures， interpreting images or identifying objects through visual analysis is the fundamental approach. However， this approach presents two pitfalls： first， replacing images with textual descriptions and downplaying the latter as a narrative medium or illustrations； second， over-generalizing images. Returning images to their visual essence entails employing the methodology of visual history， retracing the genesis of images， reshaping their visual structures， and reorganizing their logic to uncover their symbolic， metaphorical， and expressive meanings. This paper takes the Weishou images in Han grave chambers as an example to conduct visual reconstruction and lineage naming， practicing the methodology of visual history by focusing on the individual existence of images and providing directed narratives， thereby substituting the process of image analysis for artists’ creative process. Additionally， it aims to initiate a dialog ith the methodology in Wu Hong’s The Wu Liang Shrine through this case study.

Keywords： visual history； Yinan； Weishou； Wu Hong； The Wu Liang Shrine； images

Landscape Construction and Heritage Preservation during the Southern Tours of Kangxi and Qianlong

HE Feng

（Journal of Capital Normal University， Capital Normal University， Beijing 100048）

Abstract： During the Southern Tours of Emperor Kangxi and Qianlong， the central and local governments conducted a series of landscape construction in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang， and maintained the historical and cultural heritages of the areas visited by the emperors. The construction and maintenance during the Southern Tours included the restoration and preservation of public buildings and heritages， the survey and construction of residential and recreational landscapes， and the documentation of imperial activities by local officials and merchants. Systematic maintenance and renewal of ancient landscapes in China often require special occations. For the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions in the Qing Dynasty， the Southern Tours served as such an opportunity. From Kangxi’s to Qianlong’s Southern Tours， the collective participation of political， economic， and cultural forces facilitated the systematic renewal of material landscapes and the transformation of landscape culture in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang region.

Keywords： landscape construction； heritage preservation； Kangxi； Qianlong； Southern Tours

The Nature， Significance， and Contemporary Use of Wenzi Pu in Chinese Music Education

DU Yaxiong

（China Conservatory of Music， Beijing， 100101）

Abstract： Wenzi Pu， containing the finger techniques， order of strings， and pitches for playing the guqin， was used before the development of Jianzi Pu in the Tang Dynasty. In contrast to Western musical scores that notate pitch， duration， and other musical elements， Wenzi Pu exclusively focuses on performance techniques， omitting musical notes. It is intricately connected to hand movements， facilitating swift comprehension by students. This approach allows students to quickly accumulate emotional understanding and auditory experiences through performance and singing， establishing a strong foundation for their future exploration of various music theories and musical scores. The introduction of the guqin into primary and secondary school music classes， along with the teaching of Wenzi Pu， would yield significant potential in music education.

Keywords： categorization of musical scores； Wenzi Pu； application to education

On Music： The Ancient Greek and Roman Legacy and the Monotheistic Belief： St. Augustine’s Musical Concepts and Their Value in the History of Musical Philosophy

GUO Yilian， ZHANG Bochao

（Department of Musicology， Zhejiang Conservatory of Music， Hangzhou 310024）

Abstract： In the year 391， St. Augustine wrote On Music， a six-volume treatise that reflects his contemplation and exploration of musical issues. The content encompasses analyses of the rhythm and meter of poetry， the moral attributes of music， and the essence of music. Throughout the writing process， there was a significant transformation in St. Augustine’s philosophical， theological， and aesthetic thoughts， evident in the difference between the first five volumes and the sixth volume. However， this difference does not compromise the unity of his musical philosophy. On Music’s classical style， analytical methods of music and mathematics， and the idea of the soul holding sovereignty over musical appreciation， all integrate the ancient Greek and Roman heritages into the monotheistic belief. This not only demonstrates St. Augustine’s continuation of classical music philosophy but also signifies the beginning of medieval music philosophy.

Keywords： On Music； St. Augustine； musical concepts； history of musical philosophy