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Shen Congwen Xiangxi san wen dui ren xing de tan suo = The exploration of human nature as seen in Shen Congwen's prose writings
Other titles
沈从文湘西散文对人性的探索
Author
Quek, Shu Mien
Supervisor
Koh, Hock Kiat
Abstract
This paper looks at the exploration of human nature as seen in Shen Congwen's (沈从文 1902-1988) prose writings. The two collections of prose writings studied are Xiang Xing San Ji (湘行散记) and Xiang Xi (湘西) written in 1933 and 1937 respectively, when the author visited his hometown since he left 17 years ago. These prose writings depict Shen Congwen's thoughts and opinion of his ideal human nature. During the period (1930s) when he stayed in the city, he became aware of the virtues of human nature were made as a sacrifice as modernisation took place. He realised the people in the city tend to be obsessed with money and hence lost the virtues in them. Shen Congwen felt that this influence had spreaded to the Southern rural parts of China as well, including his hometown-Xiang Xi (湘西).
Through the analysis of his prose writings, it is observed that he regarded the folks from his hometown in the ancient era, as the characters with ideal human nature. He felt that these characters treated their life with respect, pride and dignity; in addition they were sincere, warm and conscientious towards one another. As he always regarded himself as a "country folk", he considered people from his hometown more humane when compared to those living in the city. He sensed those living in the city tend to pursue material wants and often neglected the meaning of life.
It is also noted that Shen Congwen hoped to raise the self-esteem and self-confidence of the Chinese and the entire future generation in China through his exploration of human nature because he hoped his readers will be inspired to preserve the virtues of human nature portrayed from the characters illustrated in his prose writings; as well as being enlightened about the meaning of life. In addition he also encouraged them to be brave and be in charge of their own life rather than leaving everything to fate or destiny.
Through the analysis of his prose writings, it is observed that he regarded the folks from his hometown in the ancient era, as the characters with ideal human nature. He felt that these characters treated their life with respect, pride and dignity; in addition they were sincere, warm and conscientious towards one another. As he always regarded himself as a "country folk", he considered people from his hometown more humane when compared to those living in the city. He sensed those living in the city tend to pursue material wants and often neglected the meaning of life.
It is also noted that Shen Congwen hoped to raise the self-esteem and self-confidence of the Chinese and the entire future generation in China through his exploration of human nature because he hoped his readers will be inspired to preserve the virtues of human nature portrayed from the characters illustrated in his prose writings; as well as being enlightened about the meaning of life. In addition he also encouraged them to be brave and be in charge of their own life rather than leaving everything to fate or destiny.
Date Issued
2005
Call Number
PL2801.N18 Q84
Date Submitted
2005