Civilization Discourse in Late Qing Novels: based on the Perspective of New World Order of Civilization

In the cultural context of the late Qing Dynasty, "civilization", endowed with the meaning of "progress", mainly refers to modern western civilization. With "civilization" as the keyword, this article analyzes the discourse of civilization in late Qing novels such as A Brief History of Civilization, The New Story of The Stone, and Huang Xiuqiu from such three levels as character portrayal, plot setting, and thematic significance. It expounds how late Qing writers showcase the conflict between civilization and barbarism in literary texts and explore a new world order of civilization. It is found that these novels mainly portray characters such as officials, reformers, and students who have studied abroad, whose names have been given profound metaphorical meanings; the plot is forwarded through the conflict between civilization and barbarism; a civilized country in the future is imagined and a nice wish to return to the center of world civilization expressed.