Research On Chen Duxiu's Early Literary Thought

Chen Duxiu is a controversial figure in modern Chinese history.He is of a superior literary talent and high revolutionary enthusiasm.He tried to make achievements in politics,but repeatedly failed or even committed a serious mistake.He was also the commander in chief of the new cultural movement,launching a literary revolution and ushering in a new era of modern literature.He is a failed politician but an excellent scholar whose literary activities were mainly concentrated before 1921 and became the most dazzling and shinning in the new cultural movement period.His literary thoughts of that period,not only play a programmatic role at his time,but also are of an important reference value today.First of all,his early literary thoughts was typical of a distinctive utilitarianism,hysterically denouncing and criticizing the traditional culture,especially the old literature,Confucianism represented by Confucius as well as the old drama which embody the essence of traditional culture.However,living and growing up in the traditional culture,Chen Duxiu was of deep old school cultivation and showed the principle of reason and practicability of traditional culture.Besides,his early literary thoughts attached importance to the independence of literature and aesthetic nature of arts.He introduced the naturalistic concept of literature and art into the country,using its "realistic" principle to save the adulatory old literature,and strictly distinguishing the boundaries between literature and other areas.The purpose is to establish the independent status of literature,and ultimately to achieve artistic state with extraordinary aesthetics.His introduction and appreciation for naturalism influenced a large number of writers such as Zhou Zuoren,Lu Xun,Mao Dun and so on.The above-mentioned two aspects seem contradictory,but reveal the two sides of art.Good literary and artistic works not only have a superb artistic aesthetics,but also have a positive impact on the community.In addition,we have to keep a sense of the historicalscene when doing research.During the period of new cultural movement,ancient,modern,Chinese and foreign ideological thoughts and trends collided with each other.Thus,the intellectuals were hard to develop a rigorous theoretical system faced with the dual task of "enlightenment" and "salvation".The emphasis of Chen Duxiu's literary thoughts thus were different because of his multiple identities and different position.Therefore,we should make an analysis with historical sympathy for the all.