Study of Intertextuality in the Narrative of Suffering between the East and the West: From Dostoevsky to Yu Hua

Abstract

When we study literature from a cross-cultural perspective, the narrative of suffering, as a spiritual medium that carries the shared experience of human life, always persistently questions the essence of life. This article focuses on the intertextual connections in the narratives of Russian literary master Dostoevsky and contemporary Chinese writer Yu Hua, specifically exploring their struggles. Through close reading and comparative analysis of the texts, the article examines the similarities and differences between the two in terms of cultural core, narrative strategies, and philosophical implications. Research has found that Dostoevsky is rooted in the Christian tradition of redemption and uses polyphonic narrative to construct a soul level "interrogative" writing style; Yu Hua, on the other hand, is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese culture and, with a calm and observant style, extracts the secularized philosophical core of "existence is meaning". Although the two present differentiated forms of suffering writing due to the differences in historical context and cultural origins, they jointly point to the ultimate exploration of upholding human dignity and the value of existence. This study not only expands new theoretical dimensions for cross-cultural dialogue between Eastern and Western literature, but also provides literary level practical insights for contemporary society to respond to spiritual dilemmas.