The quality of the Chinese people

Author: (American) A. H. Plitt, translated by Lin Xin
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-06-01
Features: A. H. Plitt was a Congregationalist missionary who came to China in 1872 and had extensive contact with people from all walks of life in China, particularly familiar with the lives of rural farmers. This book pioneered the study of Chinese national character and is a work with sociological characteristics, deeply influencing later scholars. The book drew great attention from Mr. Lu Xun, who was inspired by it to reveal and reform Chinese national character until his death, even recommending it to the public with great solemnity. Using his own observations and experiences in China over decades as evidence, the author summarized the qualities of Chinese people in the late Qing Dynasty according to Western social values and moral concepts, with a somber tone, more criticism than praise, and some biased remarks. However, in exposing the contradictions between Chinese national character and the late Qing political system, the book indeed contains many insightful observations. The book is rich in guidance, vivid in writing, humorous, and either praising or criticizing, all well-supported. Even today, reading it still leaves one feeling moved and awakened.