May real leaves grow on your branches: Zhao Lihong and His Literary World

Author: Yang Yang, edited by Deng Jitian
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-12-01
Features: This collection primarily selects comments on the works of Zhao Lihong by others and self-reflections by Zhao Lihong himself. This selection method is quite creative, allowing readers to see both the subjective intentions of a writer and the objective societal response, and how they align or differ. What I observe is that in Zhao Lihong’s case, these two aspects are remarkably consistent. In his self-reflections, his descriptions and insights into his daily life experiences, readings of predecessors’ works, and the creative process of poetry and prose are filled with sincerity, especially his deep affection and loyal attitude toward literature, music, painting, and all forms of art: faithfully expressing his emotions and exposing his true heart. This stems from his nature, and it is also a literary stance he consciously chooses to uphold. Many comments on his works, though from different perspectives and more theoretical in nature, share the core view of "sincerity" and the poetic richness of his work that arises from it. The consistency between self-assessment and response is also a sign of a writer’s inner and outer harmony. Many of the texts in this collection, whether self-reflections by Zhao Lihong or others’ comments, I have read before. Now that they are compiled together, I reread them, and they still move me deeply. I suddenly recalled Lu Xun’s two literary lectures given shortly after April 1927. In terms of era, level, and style, this connection might seem a bit unconventional. But when it comes to literature as literature, I believe some of Lu Xun’s words can help explain the deeper meaning of Zhao Lihong’s works. In his first lecture, "Literature in the Revolutionary Era," Lu Xun said, "Good literary works are never produced under command, regardless of personal gain or loss, but naturally flow from the heart." He also believed that "literature is always a product of surplus." In that era of intense social struggles, literature would "become quiet," but "when the revolution succeeds, society calms down, and everyone has surplus time and resources, literature will flourish." In his second lecture, "Talks on Reading," he discussed the freedom of reading, which is closely related to the principles of writing. Lu Xun hoped for a "happy era where everyone could do what they love," where writing would not be driven by the need to eat but by "passion," allowing one to become immersed, finding "deep enjoyment in every leaf and every leaf." Is Zhao Lihong’s work not something that "naturally flows from the heart"? Is his literary reading not a "passion" that ignores personal gain or loss? And has he not lived in an "era of surplus and happiness"? Therefore, we should not only praise Zhao Lihong’s sincerity toward literature and his authentic creative attitude but also rejoice that we live in a peaceful and developing era. This era indeed provides conditions for free writing by writers and the prosperity of literature. Zhao Lihong is blessed, and many talented writers today are blessed. In recent years, I have been editing middle school Chinese textbooks, and I have noticed that many of Zhao Lihong’s essays have been included in them. This collection does not list all the selected works, but the number exceeds that of many contemporary writers. This should be considered a certain sign of the success of his works and a testament to his honor. Of course, it cannot be said that the articles included in textbooks are the absolute best in literary circles. However, textbook articles must use precise language, have rigorous structures, and flow smoothly; they must also reject pretentiousness and vulgar tone, as textbooks are meant to serve as models for students’ reading and writing. Zhao Lihong’s essays perfectly meet these requirements. In today’s literary scene, where some authors pay little attention to word choice and elegant tone, Zhao Lihong’s strengths in these areas are particularly noteworthy.