TTLA: Sexual discourse in contemporary Vietnamese novels (Through some representative authors and works)

ABSTRACT OF THE DOCTORAL THESIS

Author's name:Vu Thi Huong

Thesis title:Sexual discourse in contemporary Vietnamese novels (Through some representative authors and works)

Dissertation field: Literature

Major: Vietnamese Literature Code: 62.22.34.01

Name of the postgraduate training unit: University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

1. Purpose and scope of the thesis

- Objective: Through a survey of sexual discourse in contemporary Vietnamese novels, we aim to find answers to the following questions: Firstly, the basis for the formation and operation of sexual discourse. Secondly, the power and methods of creating sexual discourse. Thirdly, the significance of sexual discourse in expressing the conception of reality and humanity, as well as the novelistic techniques of contemporary writers.

- Subject Matter: Studying contemporary Vietnamese novels from the perspective of sexual discourse.

- Scope of research: The study focuses on 7 representative authors: Nguyen Xuan Khanh, Nguyen Quang Than, To Hoai, Ho Anh Thai, Nguyen Binh Phuong, Y Ban, and Thuan, along with approximately 30 works by these 7 authors. Additionally, the thesis compares and relates many works from the same period and earlier times.

2. Research methods used:

- The dissertation employs five main methods: discourse analysis, typological method, systems approach, interdisciplinary research method, and poetics approach. These methods aim to identify the characteristics and significance of sexual discourse in contemporary Vietnamese novels from both synchronic and diachronic perspectives.

3. Main results and conclusions

3.1. Main results

- Theoretically: The thesis has summarized issues related to discourse theory, sexual discourse, and the meaning of some concepts such as sexuality and contemporary Vietnamese novels.

- In practical terms:

Firstly, this thesis contributes to a new research direction on contemporary Vietnamese novels – a research direction based on sexual discourse theory.

Secondly, from an epistemological perspective: This thesis will provide a more thorough understanding of sexuality in the lives of each nation and each individual.

3.2. Conclusion

Firstly, studying literature from a discourse theory perspective is crucial in revealing the thoughts and personalities of writers, the genre style, and the thinking of a literary tradition.

Secondly, within the contemporary literary discourse system, sexual discourse has shifted from a peripheral discourse to a central one.

- Thirdly, there are three most important factors influencing the formation and operation of sexual discourse in contemporary Vietnamese novels, most notably the shift towards democracy and openness in the current intellectual landscape.

Fourthly, possessing the power of life and sexuality viewed from multiple perspectives, contemporary writers have created a polyphonic voice on sexuality. Through this, they reveal a renewed understanding of reality and humanity.

- Fifthly, when sexuality is used as a means, writers have established this discourse through layers of body language, increasing internal monologue, and constructing various types of characters, spaces, and sexual symbols. This is also a significant innovation in the art of novel writing by contemporary writers.

SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS

The author's name: Vu Thi Huong

Thesis title: Sexual Discourse in Contemporary Vietnamese Novels (Through Some Authors and Their Typical Works)

Scientific branch of the thesis: Literature

Major: Vietnamese Literature Code: 62.22.34.01

The name of postgraduate training institution: University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University.

1. Thesis purpose and objectives

- Thesis purpose: Through the survey of discourse in contemporary Vietnamese novels, we aim to find: first, the basis for the formation and operation of sexual discourse, second, the power and creation means of sexual discourse, third, the significance of sexual discourse in expressing the concept of reality and humanity and the novelistic technique of contemporary writers, as well.

- Objectives: Research on contemporary Vietnamese novels from the perspective of sexual discourse.

- Scope of the study: 7 typical authors to name Nguyen Xuan Khanh, Nguyen Quang Than, To Hoai, Ho Anh Thai, Nguyen Binh Phuong, Y Ban and Thuan and about 30 works by the seven authors. In addition, the thesis compared with other works of the same and previous periods.

2. Research methods

- The thesis applies 5 primary methods: discourse analysis, type methodology, system approach methodology, interdisciplinary research methodology, poetic approach. The methods aim to point out the characteristics and significance of sexual discourse in contemporary Vietnamese novels from contemporary and historical synchronical and chronological slides.

3. Major results and conclusions

3.1. The major results

- Theoretically: The thesis has summarized the issues relevant to discourse theory, sexual discourse and such content and concepts of as sexuality, contemporary Vietnamese novels.

- Practically:

+ Firstly, the thesis adds a new dimension of research on contemporary Vietnamese novels - the study of sexual discourse theory.

+ Secondly, in terms of epistemology: the thesis will bring about a more insightful understanding of sexuality in the lives of each peoples and individuals.

3.2. Conclusions

- First, the research on literature from theory is of great discourse in pointing out the writer's thoughts and personalities, the style of the genre and the thinking of a literary world.

- Second, in the hierarchy of modern literary discourse, sexual discourse from a peripheral discourse turns into a central discourse.

- Third, three most important factors, most notably the democratic change of the current scholastic filed, involving the formation and operation of sexual discourse in contemporary Vietnamese novels are found.

- Fourth, bearing in itself the power of life, sexuality is viewed from many different angles and contemporary writers have created a multi-voice about sex. It reveals the innovation of thinking about the reality and personality of the writers.

- Fifth, when sexuality is used as a medium, writers have established this discourse in the physical linguistic layer, boosting monologues, shaping many types of characters, spaces and symbols of sex. This is also the novelistic art innovation of contemporary writers.