On Narrations Of Childhood Theme In Xiao Hong's Novels

While analysing the independent character and general significance of Modern Childhood Theme in Chinese literature history, Mr. Tan Guilin spoke highly of the great contribution made by Xiao Hong in her novels. Tan has therefore raised a new issue about why Xiao Hong should be called "an outstanding writer" on Modern Childhood Theme. In this paper, which falls into two sections, the author tires to illustrate Xiao Hong' s high status in the modern literature history through a contrastive study between the literary works of Modern Childhood Theme created by Xiao Hong and the similar works of Lu Xun and Luo Binji , etc. The first section deals with the comparison of Xiao Hong and Lu Xun. It is well known that Lu Xun was the master of Xiao Hong. In his childhood narrations, Lu Xun chiefly criticizes the feudal traditional educating method and exposes the outmoded notions passed on to children which were extremely unsuitable to their physical and mental development. Whereas Xiao Hong focuses on the life experience of individuals. From an anthropological angle, she shows great 'concern for human being and tires to seek the life essence and living condition in certain historical periods.The second section deals with the comparison of Xiao Hong and Luo Binji .Both Xiao Hong and Luo Binji are writers from the north-east. They attach great importance to the descriptions of regional culture, and bring the modes'of childhood narration to perfection. But as a male writer, Luo Binji demonstrates more of resolution and bravery of the northeastern writers. On the contrary, Xiao Hong embodies a kind of woman' s delicate and tender feeling, even a littleweak. The former plays a majestic music about the vigorousforces of northeastern lives; the latter draws a vivid picture about the decadent sentiments of northeastern lives.In a word, on one hand, Xiao Hong has carried on and developed a spirit of reflecting self-personality and a national consciousness of criticizing. At the same time, her transcendence over cultural reflection has given more meanings to the creation of Modern Childhood Theme. On thp other hand, Xiao Hong, with a woman' s unique concern, has exceeded the style and general theme shared by the northeastern writers. By creating a new way to describe the northeastern living condition, Xiao Hong has displayed her unique understanding of the northeastern regional culture.