Chinese practice and T. W. Adorno’s theory of mass culture

The paper explores the significance of T. W. Adorno’s theory of mass culture in the context of contemporary Chinese criticism. To this end, his theory is converted into two questions. First, what is the purpose of Adorno’s critique of mass culture? The answer offered here is the salvation of the individual. Second, how does Adorno justify his charges against mass culture? The rationale is that Adorno believes that the truth-content of a culture is of vital importance for individuation. Chinese scholars have paid scant attention to the inner logic of Adorno’s theory, because they are more concerned with the applicability of his theory in Chinese culture than with his theoretical potential. We find that, in the light of Adorno’s theory, the cultural practices of the writers Mo Yan (1955) and Han Han (1982) have little to do with individuation, but rather seek to strengthen national narrative than to break with it. In turn, Adorno’s theory of mass culture awakens our consciousness of the long-procrastinated mission of enlightenment.