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Adolescent China （4）
Revolution in Literature |
| CCTV.COM 2002-10-30 12:10:56 |
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 Written in the vernacular, this poem was published in the magazine “New Youth” on February 1, 1917. Such a simple poem seems to be very naive today, but it was of revolutionary significance more than 80 years ago. The author was Hu Shi, a young Chinese student studying in the United States then.
During the years of his stay in the United States, Hu Shi and his fellow students discussed the reform of the Chinese written language. The same question was being discussed by contributors to the “New Youth”, a newly launched magazine. Hu Shi wrote a letter to the editorial department of the magazine, expressing his views on the question. Chen Duxiu enthusiastically wrote a letter back to him. Across the ocean, the two pioneers of ideas started the initial exploration of the foundation of traditional Chinese culture. Encouraged by Chen Duxiu, the “New Youth” published an article under the title “Initial Discussion on the Reform of Literature”. Later the article was believed to be the first clarion call for revolution in Chinese literature.
 A month later, Chen Duxiu, chief editor of the “New Youth”, published “On Revolution in Literature” in the magazine, unfurling the banner of literature revolutionaries. It was a prelude to the New Culture Movement that started from the revolution in literature and the written language. A week later, Lin Shu who had once taught at the Metropolitan University (former Beijing University) published an article in “The Daily of the Republic”, strongly opposing the abolition of ancient Chinese prose. This was a confrontation between traditional views and modern ideas.
As a well-known philologist at Beijing University, Qian Xuantong joined the staff of the “New Youth”. The revolution in literature gained momentum. He wrote to Chen Duxiu successively, attacking the old Chinese literature.
In the spring of 1917, discussions on the revolution in literature went on through letters and treatises. Young students of Beijing University like Fu Sinian and Luo Jialun enthusiastically took part in the discussions, producing a great impact rapidly. In January 1918, the “New Youth” edited by six professors of Beijing University began to publish articles written in the vernacular. Later the vernacular was known as the national language, a term used by students who returned to China in 1916.
The convergence of modern intellectuals at Beijing University helped to develop the New Culture Movement. Almost no voice of the opposition faction was heard in nearly one year.
 To draw attention from the public and expand the debate on the old and the new culture, Qian Xuantong and Liu Bannong performed a superb two-man comic show. Using the assumed name Wang Jingxuan, Qian Xuantong wrote an essay under the title “Reflections on the Revolution in Literature”, expressing opposition to the revolution in literature. Then Liu Bannong wrote another essay to refute it. The debate on the old and the new literature seemed to be very lively.
Later in his essay “Recollections of Mr. Liu Bannong”, Lu Xun praised him as a fighter of the “New Youth”, lively, brave and good at fighting hard battles.
In a short span of two years, the “New Youth” grew from a publication of fellow provincials into an ideological magazine with contributors from various sectors of society, attracting a great many young people who had active minds.
 The new literature was born in 1918. In the previous year when Lu Xun stayed at Shaoxing Guild Hall, he received Qian Xuantong at 4 p.m. every day. At the advice of Qian Xuantong, Lu Xun joined the editorial board of the “New Youth”.
“A Madman’s Diary” was published in May 1918. This was the first novel written in the vernacular in China.
The confrontation between the old and the new ideas went on vigorously around Beijing University and the “New Youth”. With the brilliance of reason, a young generation of people headed for maturity. They would become masters of the 20th century.
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Editor: Liu Baoyin CCTV.com
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