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

DOCTORAL THESIS SUMMARY

Author name:Vu Thi Huong

Thesis title:Sexual discourse in contemporary Vietnamese novels (Through some typical 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 research objects of the thesis

- Purpose: Through the survey of sexual discourse in contemporary Vietnamese novels, we aim to find the answers: First, the basis for the formation and operation of sexual discourse. Second, the power and method of creation of sexual discourse. Third, the meaning of sexual discourse in expressing the concept of reality and human as well as the novel techniques of contemporary writers.

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

- Scope of research: 7 typical authors are Nguyen Xuan Khanh, Nguyen Quang Than, To Hoai, Ho Anh Thai, Nguyen Binh Phuong, Y Ban, Thuan and about 30 works of the 7 authors above. In addition, the thesis also compares and relates many works of the same period and previous periods.

2. Research methods used:

- The thesis uses 5 main methods: discourse analysis method, typology method, systemic approach, interdisciplinary research method, poetics approach. These methods aim to point out the characteristics and meanings of sexual discourse in contemporary Vietnamese novels from synchronic and diachronic perspectives.

3. Main results and conclusions

3.1. Main results

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

- In practice:

+ Firstly, the thesis contributes to adding a new research direction on contemporary Vietnamese novels - a research direction from the theory of sexual discourse.

+ Second, in terms of epistemology: This thesis will bring a more thorough understanding of sexuality in the life of each nation and each person.

3.2. Conclusion

- Firstly, studying literature from discourse theory is important in pointing out the writer's thoughts and personality, the genre style and thinking of a literature.

- Second, in the system of contemporary literary discourse order, sexual discourse has transformed from a peripheral discourse to a central discourse.

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

- Fourth, carrying within itself the power of life, sexuality is viewed from many different perspectives, contemporary writers have created a polyphonic voice about sexuality. Thereby revealing the writers' innovative thinking about reality and human beings.

- Fifth, when sexuality is used as a means, writers create this discourse with layers of body language, increasing internal monologues, building many types of characters, spaces and sexual symbols. This is also the innovation of the art of fiction 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.