Talk about Lin Yutang

Author: Wang Zhaosheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-01-01
Features: There might be many reasons why I wrote this book "Gossiping about Lin Yutang," but the basic one is for the readers—to present a richer, more authentic, more vivid, and more accurate Lin Yutang to them. In my opinion, so far, whether it's general admirers or academic researchers, their understanding and perception of Lin Yutang have been plagued by numerous issues. Lin Yutang was a mysterious writer in the history of modern Chinese literature in the 20th century. This mystery stemmed from both the complex and winding nature of his life experiences and the rejection and isolation he faced from mainstream cultural forces. His series of actions and writings were at odds with the mainstream culture of inland China in the first half of the 20th century. Therefore, in a sociocultural context where revolution and politics were the standards of judgment, it was difficult for him to be understood and accepted by the broad revolutionary readership, and exclusion and oblivion were inevitable. While he was neglected in inland China, he gained widespread influence in overseas academic circles, becoming a world-renowned writer. The indifference, criticism, and neglect he received from the inland academic community contrast sharply with the high praise he earned from foreign academia. Why is there such a stark disparity in the evaluation of the same writer? How should we now understand and assess Lin Yutang? "Gossiping about Lin Yutang" provides a very good answer. Since the 1980s, with the changing sociocultural context of Chinese society, the study of Lin Yutang has gradually become a hot topic in inland academia, giving rise to a dedicated group of researchers devoted to studying him. Wang Zhaosheng is one of the rising stars in this group. His doctoral dissertation, "Lin Yutang's Cultural Sentiments," took Lin Yutang as its subject, offering a systematic and profound analysis of him, which was hailed as "marking the arrival of a new stage in Lin Yutang studies." In just a few years, he published over 40 academic papers on Lin Yutang, achieving remarkable results in the field and earning unanimous praise from academia. Even so, he remained eager to delve deeper into Lin Yutang's study. To help more readers understand Lin Yutang, or to bring Lin Yutang back into the fold of modern Chinese culture, he wrote this "Gossiping about Lin Yutang." Compared to his doctoral dissertation, this book is less academic and more engaging and readable; it is less rigorous and more flexible and vivid. Using a colloquial, lively, and fluent language, the author places Lin Yutang in the complex social environment of 20th-century China and discusses him from a fresh perspective and with new standards, engaging in dialogue with him from cultural, familial, personal, and creative angles to present a multifaceted Lin Yutang to the readers. In reality, different writers and works should be interpreted with corresponding standards and methods to foster communication and understanding between the writer and the reader (researcher). For a writer who emphasizes humor, spirit, and leisure, to evaluate him solely based on political standards is like forcing a square peg into a round hole—it does little to resolve the issue and hinders understanding and communication with the writer. "Gossiping about Lin Yutang" takes "gossiping" as its starting point, adopting a fresh, simple, natural, and leisurely tone to write about Lin Yutang, approaching him from the perspectives of "culture" and "life" to seek closeness with the subject's soul and intellectual communication, hitting the mark precisely. The author touches on Lin Yutang from multiple angles, avoiding strict academic logic, striving for multi-dimensional approaches, and striving to the historical context of the subject as much as possible, presenting his unique insights in casual discussions. Through Lin Yutang's subtle relationships with his mother and wife, the author analyzes his Oedipus complex, revealing the internal progression of his emotions—from self-love to mother-attachment, to family-attachment, to attachment to hometown landscapes, and finally to attachment to his homeland. By examining Lin Yutang's critique of Japanese culture, the author not only demonstrates his broad knowledge but also highlights his genuine patriotic sentiments. Through extensive research into historical records, the author analyzes the literary rivalries between Lin Yutang and figures such as Lu Xun, Hu Shih, Zhou Zuoren, Guo Moruo, Pearl S. Buck, and Guo Moruo, clearing away the dust of history to reveal their true nature, pointing out that their conflicts were primarily due to differences in personality, ideology, and misunderstandings. In this way, the author weaves academic rigor into leisurely discussions, making for a vivid and engaging read. The author excels at calmly expressing his insights through historical narratives, not only showcasing his understanding of Lin Yutang but also often revealing profound life philosophies, leaving readers with much to ponder. "Gossiping about Lin Yutang" introduces Lin Yutang's relationship with Chinese and Western cultures and his cultural ideals from multiple angles, portraying his personal quirks, and through leisurely storytelling, presenting a Lin Yutang who is flesh and blood and highly individualized. This is of great significance for understanding Lin Yutang's literary creations, cultural thoughts, and his unique contributions and limitations in the cultural exchange between China and the West. It combines academic depth with readability, making it a masterpiece enjoyed by both scholars and general readers.