The Role of Association: New Thinking on “Exposition, Comparison, Association” in Films

Abstract

Abstract Crucial to the exploration of the nationalization of Chinese films, the concept of exposition (赋 fu), comparison (比 bi), and association (兴 xing) in films has gained much significance. While these concepts still need refining, an in-depth exploration of the terms is still necessary. This article reviews the theoretical term exposition, comparison, association, and argues that it should not be treated simply as pure rhetorical discourse. In particular, any interpretation of association should address the historical and cultural context of early Chinese society, and the early analogical thinking implied in association should be taken as an entry point for exploring the ambiguous ideographic role revealed by this aesthetic concept and extend it to film studies, so as to capture the unique image thinking in Chinese films and other Eastern cinema, which differs from the aesthetic logic of Western films.