Once a model of prose
- Old Books Retrospective No. 6
Written by Guan Yinong
In the early 60s of the last century, the Chinese literary scene showed a flourishing scene of prose. In August 1962, Beijing Publishing House selected 21 excellent essays published in newspapers and periodicals across the country in the previous year, and compiled and printed a collection titled "Snow Waves". The binding and illustrations are undertaken by the artist Yuan Yunfu, 32 pages, 31 pages of preface, 149 pages of text, a total of more than 120,000 words, the first edition printed 210,000 copies.
Before the Cultural Revolution, this book was all the rage, and it was regarded as a model for prose writing. It was only years later that I picked up a copy from a second-hand book stall, and although it was not in good condition, the text was intact and did not affect the pleasure of reading it in the slightest.
This book includes the works of 18 writers who can be called "prose masters", they are Wei Wei, Fang Ji, Liu Baiyu, Bi Ye, Yuan Ying, Feng Mu, Duanmu Yuliang, Guo Feng, Ke Lan, Yang Shuo, Malaqinfu, Wu Boxi, Cao Jinghua, Yang Shi, Lin Yao, Qin Mu, Ba Jin, and Bingxin. Among them, Liu Baiyu, Yang Shuo, and Cao Jinghua's works were each selected two. The oldest of them was Cao Jinghua, who was 64 years old in 1961, and the youngest was Malachov, who was 31 years old at the time. Most of them are in their 40s, and they are in the first period of creation. What is even more remarkable is that most of them are revolutionaries, and they are also old writers of the May Fourth period or the Yan'an period, and have written a large number of excellent works. Therefore, all the essays included in this "Snow Waves" have the imprint of "revolution" in a deep or shallow way, which is the subconscious refraction of the author's own experience and the circumstances of the times.
As we all know, from 1959 to 1961, China had a period of "three years of difficulty". Due to the serious "leftist" mistakes in the "Great Leap Forward" and the people's communization movement, as well as the large-scale natural disasters that have suffered from a large area for several consecutive years, resulting in a nationwide shortage of grain and non-staple foodstuffs, New China is facing the most serious economic difficulties since its liberation. The material force was frustrated, and the spiritual force made up for it, so the "revolutionary spirit" was particularly emphasized in that era, and the inspiring role of the spirit was emphasized. It is in this context of the times that a large number of red literary works came into being, and "Snow Waves" is only a microcosm of this literary wave.
Interestingly, the Beijing Publishing House invited a pro-democracy figure to write a foreword to the collection of essays, and generously provided 31 pages. This person's name is Chuandao, formerly known as Zhang Tingqian, is a prose and writer during the May Fourth period, who has long been engaged in the teaching of modern Chinese literary history and Lu Xun research, and is a member of the China Association for the Promotion of Democracy and a professor at Peking University. In the 30s of the last century, Kawashima and Lu Xun had close contacts, participated in the creation of "Yuxi", and included more than 60 letters from Lu Xun to Kawashima in "The Complete Works of Lu Xun". After the liberation, Kawashima has been teaching at Peking University, writing essays and ** in the nature of memories, with smooth writing and sincere feelings, and a family of his own. The preface he wrote for "Snow Waves" commented on the artistic characteristics and political significance of the works of various writers one by one, which is not only a factual and targeted book review, but also a very insightful academic ** to study modern prose creation.
"Red Agate" and "Three Days on the Yangtze River", which are included in this book, can be said to be the representative works of Liu Baiyu's prose, and they are also famous in the literary world that year. Liu Baiyu worked as a military correspondent for many years during the Anti-Japanese War and the War of Liberation, and served as a cultural leader for a long time after the liberation. Although Yang Shuo's prose is also "praised", it presents another style - poetic style, and readers will always get a poetic sense of experience from his articles. At that time, his essays "Lychee Honey", "Snow Waves" and "Camellia Fu" were printed in middle school Chinese textbooks, and his essay collection was the most borrowed book in the school library. How many people learn to write prose by imitating his penmanship, supporting things and words, borrowing things to metaphor people, theme first, and praising beautiful ......Gradually formed a subtle routine. Now there are historical data to disclose that Yang Shuo's prose *** is liked, in April 1961, Yang Shuo's "Cherry Blossom Rain" was published on the people**, **After seeing it, he immediately commented on the "good article" and recommended it to **. Probably related to this political background, Red Flag magazine, which never publishes literary works, published Yang Shuo's "Snow Waves" in the 20th issue of 1961. The "1961 Anthology of Essays" published by the Beijing Publishing House, with "Snow Waves" as the title and "Camellia Fu" at the same time, gave Yang Shuo a significantly higher treatment than other writers, and Yang Shuo's status in the literary world at that time can be seen here.
Writer Yang Shuo
Looking at this collection now, people will probably have the accusation of "**". Because the suffering of the people during the "three-year difficult period" did not seem to affect the inspiration of these writers at all, the hunger, poverty and struggle in reality were hidden by the author intentionally or unintentionally. In fact, if you put yourself in the shoes of what kind of literature was produced in what era, in that ecological environment 60 years ago, mainstream writers could not brag wantonly and preach "struggle""** are already quite conscientious literati!What kind of prose is good prose, and how to write prose is the right way?The times have developed to this day, and people are constantly reflecting and exploring. Liang Heng took the lead in launching a comprehensive critique of the "Yang Shuo model", he believed that the essence of the Yang Shuo model is fake, it is a fake model that makes people "forget themselves and serve empty politics", and the disadvantages caused by it are patterned and rigid, which makes the artistic road of prose narrower and narrower. There are many responders to this theory.
However, some critics have pointed out that it is easy to criticize a historical figure or a literary trend in today's time and space, but there is often a lot of confusion and prejudice in correctly understanding historical figures and things. Scientific historical materialism tells us that we cannot make subjective judgments in isolation from the historical conditions and cultural contexts in which people and things live, and we cannot throw away dirty water with children when making value judgments. After the "depoliticization" of Yang Shuo and the "Yang Shuo model", some positive significance in prose aesthetics and text form creation should be fairly evaluated and affirmed in line with historical facts.
I agree with the latter. I admire Yang Shuo's pursuit of poetry and his efforts in artistic conception in prose creation, and his achievements and influence in this area cannot be denied. Later generations always stand on the shoulders of their predecessors and say irresponsible words or step forward. Liang Heng is a master of prose in the new era, haven't Liang Heng's works been influenced by Yang Shuo?Read his "Summer Sense", and you will have a fair answer.
Snow Waves has left a deep historical imprint, impregnated with the efforts of writers of that generation. I cherish Snow Waves.
About the Author:Guan Yinong, who has been in the army for 23 years, has been running a newspaper for 28 years after changing jobs, has worked in a newspaper for many years, is a senior editor and reporter, and has won the gold medal of the newspaper supplement of the China News Award. Monographs include "Dictionary of the Art of War and Strategy", etc., and many essays and small ** articles have appeared in domestic newspapers and periodicals. Since his retirement, he has been active in interviewing and writing.