关键词: 弱德之美, 陈受颐, 《中国文学史略》, 脚注东方主义, 跨文化寄托

Abstract: Upon its publication in 1961, Ch’ên Shou-yi’s Chinese Literature: A Historical Introduction drew criticism from Western scholars for serious flaws in annotation and academic ethics. These critiques focused on repetitive content, insufficient citations, and inadequate engagement with contemporary scholarship. Though framed as objective academic assessment, such criticism implicitly reinforced orientalist paradigms, a discursive strategy that marginalized non-Western voices within academia, by essentializing distinctions between Western and Chinese scholarly traditions. In this context, Ch’ên Shou-yi’s strategic incorporation of pre-1949 Chinese scholarly achievements constituted a dual act of resistance. The first is cultural reclamation. By foregrounding the contributions of Chinese scholars, the book embodied a nuanced expression of diasporic intellectual heritage. The second is critical allegory. References to Hu Shi and Zheng Zhenduo’s research served as subtle critiques of mainland China’s academic climate while advancing the classical ideal of zhiyin. Epitomizing moral resilience, Ch’ên Shou-yi’s methodology constitutes a passive virtue that asserts epistemological autonomy against academic hegemony.

Key words: the beauty of passive virtue, Ch’ên Shou-yi, Chinese Literature: A Historical Introduction, orientalism in footnotes, transcultural longings