Book Review of a Theory of Performativity: New Direction in Literary and Art Studies by He Chengzhou

Abstract

Performativity, a new theory for cross-subject study to enrich and refresh the criticism of literature and arts by borrowing other subjects’ knowledge, referred by Professor He Chengzhou in his new book “A Theory of Performativity: New Direction in Literary and Art Studies” that is aimed to solve the problem of fossilization and simplification of leading criticism under the history and culture contexts, which brings new vividity and perspective to the humanities. This book discusses three features of the theory of performativity: rationality, feasibility, and utility by way of tracing the history of the concept, summarizing how it works in distinct subjects, and testing its effects in practical criticism.