Chinese Cultural Figures Remember Their Mothers - Complete Four Volumes

Author: Deng Jiuping, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2000-01-01
Features: At the turn of the millennium, as Macau followed Hong Kong in returning to the embrace of its motherland, a poem titled "Song of the Seven Sons" struck the hearts of all overseas Chinese. Who does not have their own mother? Comparing the motherland to a mother is an elevation of this love. And the genuine love for one's own mother is a natural and profound emotion in human nature. In a sense, this emotion is the foundation of all truth, goodness, and beauty in the world. However, at the turn of the century, amid the market-oriented transformation of social and economic life, people were shocked to see how far "money" and "greed" could corrupt people: not one, but multiple cases of teenagers killing their mothers were reported, with the cruelty of the methods leaving people appalled and heartbroken. At the same time, the distorted "exam-oriented education" forced some parents, driven by the desire for their children to succeed, to harm their own children. In the face of extreme events and the widespread indifference in human relationships, it becomes particularly necessary to sing the praises of motherly love and call for family bonds. The newly released series "Recollections of Mothers by Famous Chinese Cultural Figures" by Tongxin Publishing House was born out of this shared understanding. It reflects the publishers' concern for society and the younger generation, who bear the responsibility of education. The renowned scholar Ji Xianlin wrote the preface for the series, saying: "In this vast world, love takes many forms, but the pure, selfless, and unrequited love that is almost instinctual—this is 'motherly love.' 'Every person, as soon as they are born, experiences love as motherly love. It is the mother who tells them that the world is not bleak but filled with warmth.' In his famous prose piece 'The Eternal Regret,' Mr. Ji Xianlin also wrote: 'No matter what reputation, status, happiness, or honor one may have in the world, it cannot compare to being by one's mother's side—even if she cannot read a single character, even if she eats 'red' (referring to sorghum cakes) all day.'" The book includes articles by over 200 scholars, writers, and artists. The series is arranged chronologically, from the cultural giants of the late 20th century like Hu Shih, Guo Moruo, and Feng Youlan to the literary newcomers of the 1960s. All, with a deep sense of gratitude, have written touching and beautiful essays about their mothers. Spanning nearly a century, they share the warmth of "spring sunshine" from various perspectives of social life. Everyone can tell a story about their mother, and every story is moving. But let us listen to the stories of the "cultural figures" about their mothers—perhaps they can better reflect the history of the nation, the progress of the times, and the light of the human heart. The stories of mothers continue to be told, and they will never end.