Mao Duns Style And Influence Of Modern Chinese Literature

Lu Xun is â€Å"the founder of modern discourse†¦ the model of revolutionary art† (pp. 1), and often considered the greatest Chinese writer of the 20th century. However, in this arises a problem – he was also the one to innovate and define what modern Chinese writing is – without him, there would be nothing to compare to, no standard by which those who wanted to examine modern Chinese writing could do so. He is the founding father (so to speak) of modern Chinese literature, the one who defined it all – so who is to say that Chinese literature did not â€Å"[climax] where it started† (pp. 1)? Who is to say that every other modern Chinese writer is not just â€Å"an echo of the master’s voice†? (pp. 1) David Der-wei Wang is one who believes that these†¦show more content†¦6) and themes of touching on nostalgia and his homeland of West Hunan in Chapter 7. The conclusion provides a nice summary about how each of these chapters contributed to the overall theme of the book – the expansion and innovation of 20th-century Chinese literature after Lu Xun. Mao Dun is known for incorporating Western literary ideas and having a very politically motivated writing style. At a time in which â€Å"Chinese historical fiction had lost its verisimilar legitimacy†, Mao Dun â€Å"turned to Western Masters† like Zola and Tolstoy (pp. 27). These writers helped to shape Mao Dun’s style and in turn restored the legitimacy of historical fiction in China. Mao Dun also believed that â€Å"modern Chinese literature should serve a serious cause† and that he and other intellectuals were â€Å"obliged to enlighten the common people† (pp. 69). Wang highlights this side of Dun all throughout Chapter 3 – this sets Dun apart from many writers of the time who believed literature’s only purpose was for art’s sake, not for any sort of political revolution’s sake. Ch 3. Through the usage of historical fiction and politically motivated writing, Mao Dun successfully expanded on what Lu Xun created. Lao She is known for his extreme portrayals of farce and melodrama, as well as his works analyzing and criticizing patriotism. â€Å"What sets Lao She apart from other May Fourth writers is†¦ his exaggeration of [social abuses] in terms of both farcical and melodramatic discourses† (pp. 111).