Contradictory Miscellany

Author: Wei Tao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1996-05-01
Features: Before writing novels, Mr. Mao Dun had published many short essays under his original name or pen names in Awakening and Academic Lamp, primarily discussing literature but also including some social miscellany. Those published in Literary Weekly were simply titled "Miscellaneous Talks" or "Miscellaneous Reflections." If my memory serves me right, the later article When Will the "Great Transformation Period" Arrive? was widely read and attracted much attention from young friends.
Mao Dun (1896–1981), modern writer and social activist. Original name Shen Dehong, courtesy name Yanbing. Born in Wuzhen, Tongxiang County, Zhejiang Province in July 1896. In 1913, he enrolled in the preparatory department of Peking University. After graduation, due to financial difficulties at home, he began working for a living. In 1916, he joined the Commercial Press in Shanghai. After the founding of the People's Republic, Mao Dun served as the editor-in-chief of People's Literature magazine, and held positions such as Minister of Culture of the Central People's Government, Honorary Chairman of the All-China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and Chairman of the Chinese Writers' Association. This book selects over 370 social commentaries, literary critiques, and essays written by Mao Dun from 1919 until shortly before his death, divided into five historical sections. Tang Tao wrote the preface for this collection, mentioning that in the first half of the 1930s, there were as many as thirty major literary debates, and many of the articles in this miscellany were closely related to these significant controversies. This gives a glimpse into the era.