History of Modern Chinese Literature

Author: Zheng Wanpeng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: The cornerstone of modern Chinese liberalism is the advocacy of individual freedom. The spirit of individual freedom and the idea of personality liberation formed a grand theme of individualism in modern Chinese literature during the May Fourth Movement. Liberalism draws on the traditional humanistic spirit of both Eastern and Western cultures, hence it has always embodied a profound philosophy rather than a state of unrestrained indulgence. Liberalism, grounded in rational individualism, has always been closely linked to the traditional Chinese tradition of constant vigilance. The philosophy of individual behavior it expresses is a modern interpretation of the traditional "self-cultivation and harmony" () personality theory. In the history of modern Chinese culture, liberalism inherited the individualistic philosophy of Confucianism and paved the way for contemporary existentialism, serving as the origin of the 20th-century liberal philosophy of humanity. This book examines the liberal literature represented by Hu Shih, Lin Yutang, and Liang Shu-ch'iu, as well as the leftist literature represented by Lu Xun, Guo Moruo, and Mao Dun, from a humanistic perspective, constructing a diverse and dynamic history of modern Chinese literature and uncovering the rich modernity it embodies, as well as the humanistic liberal philosophy it has created. The distinctive feature of this work is its independent literary perspective on literary history. This book examines the liberal literature represented by Hu Shih, Lin Yutang, and Liang Shu-ch'iu, as well as the leftist literature represented by Lu Xun, Guo Moruo, and Mao Dun, from a humanistic perspective, constructing a diverse history of modern Chinese literature and uncovering the modernity it embodies and the humanistic liberal philosophy it has created.