This thesis centers on the question of how the representation of buildings opens up possibilities for investigating Can Xue's fiction as literature with universal concern about humanity. It explores the significance of Can Xue's employment of buildings in her works from three aspects. The first aspect regards buildings as the reflection of the structure of the soul. The second aspect situates buildings in their relationship with residents and explores the connection between the buildings/residents relationship and that of body and soul. The last aspect sees buildings as the microcosmic projection of Can Xue's fictional space. This study places textual constitution at the center of investigation through the approach of close textual analysis. It marks an attempt to reconsider the method of literary investigation in the field of modern Chinese literature which has been dominated by cultural and historical approaches.

The thesis deals with early short stories and novellas by Chinese woman writer Can Xue. The first part of the thesis presents the work of Can Xue in the context of author's life and focuses on finding motifs associated with her life experiences. The second part outlines historical development of Chinese literature in the 80s of the 20th century, observes position of Can Xue in the "avant-garde literature", and describes the writers literary sources of inspiration and authors own view on literary-historical context of her works. The third part is based on the analysis of specific stories. In the context of what other critics have discussed the thesis determines two main approaches to the interpretation of Can Xues work - the political and the psychological. The thesis concludes that there is a significant element of personal experience in Can Xues works. It should not, however, be considered a dominant element, as it mainly serves as means of examining general aspects of human psyche. The introspective nature of Can Xues works is also the key reason why this thesis puts the psychological interpretation of her works above the political interpretation.