Gorgeous Shadow Sinks: Looking Back at Eileen Chang - Biography, Family Background, and Interactions

Author: Jin Hongda
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: In an era of low pressure, water levels are particularly unfavorable places, and no one harbors any illusions, expecting flowers and plants to emerge in the literary garden. However, more important accidents in the world often appear when you least expect them. Historians or sociologists will use logic to prove that incidental accidents are actually the result of long-term brewing. But the general public, without such analytical thinking, always feels that there is a magic wand-like force directing everything, with every new accident appearing as if from the sky, leaving people both sad and happy feeling unprepared. The impression given to readers by Ms. Eileen Chang's works is quite similar. "This is too abrupt, too like a miracle." Besides such vague remarks, readers have never given a concrete opinion. Perhaps they were truly stunned by the unexpectedness. Or perhaps people are always timid creatures, and the prudent course of action is to remain ambiguous until a clear public opinion is established. But public opinion still needs to be cultivated by the masses; moreover, the growth of literature urgently requires social criticism, not cautious or indifferent silence. Opinions on right or wrong, good or bad, should be stated directly. If mistakes are made, so be it—someone will correct them—nothing about dignity is involved. The decades-long reception history of Eileen Chang's works shows that no matter how long the dust of time conceals them, the works of enduring writers will ultimately spread far and wide.