The Shadow of an Empire in 1901

Author: Wang Shuzeng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-03-01
Features: The history of a nation, no matter how long it spans, cannot be narrated and depicted solely in terms of emperors, generals in golden and green armor, literary geniuses and beauties, and willows shedding flowers, if it is often tainted by illusory sentiments. Then, the generations of that nation will be unable to achieve civilized progress and glorious inheritance, let alone a great national revival. In 1901, this historical fragment at the turn of the century was the most terrifying, sorrowful, and heart-wrenching period in the over five thousand years of Chinese history. The Year 1901 was completed in a melancholic mood. Scrutinizing the nuances while exploring the larger trends—I wanted to depict the face and expression of our nation using a restrained yet passionate narrative style. Historical events are not the main subject in The Year 1901, but rather the backdrop against which the souls of all historical figures "sell out." What connects the narrative is not the frequent occurrence of historical events, but the tumultuous emotional journey of the Chinese people. The choice of a hundred-year-old history was made because the unchanging face of the Chinese people suddenly became intensely expressive during those days.