A Gloomy World In The Age Of Passion

The New Cultural Movement took place in China last century, brought cultural and historical significance for endless interpretation.The pioneers of New Literature just went through the baptism of storm. Before they could display their talent and come up with more mature and profound literary works, the road of New Literature had taken a drastic turn.Moreover, the voice of "Literature as the tool" became so powerful that the writers were forced to give up the belief —Literature should eulogize the underprivileged—the belief they were never willing to renounce. Within the period from the May Fourth Movement to the mid and later part of 1920s, the more mature literary writer other than Luxun is Ye Shaojun. His works showed a more sophisticated gesture as soon as they come out , with abundant quality. Nevertheless, the value of his works is once obscured by ideology for the particular historical and cultural environment of Chinese society. Meanwhile, the verdict for his works, influenced by the Slavery Consciousness, is rather fixed and unitary.Even when the concept—For nobody the literature serves—is widely accepted, Ye Shaojun's works still cannot win the due attention of researchers and critics. His novels depicting the state of existence, still haven't got recognition and new interpretation. And for the verdict given Mao Dun, there is no one to question the feasibility for contemporary literary studies. The image of Mr Pan is still condemned as the selfish petty intellectual. And for Ni Huanzhi, the precious first saga in the modern literary history, more abundant and humane interpretation isneeded. This kind of sufficiency, neglect and even prejudice are the regrets in Ye Shaojun studies.Long been ignored by the literary research circle, Ye Shaojun deserves a timely rediscovery and re-evaluation concerning his position in the history of literature. This paper will focus on establishing his avant-garde position and appreciating his artistic bravery by the subjects he originated. No more cold eyes on and laughs at Mr Pan, the image of an intellectual, a caring and sympathetic perspective will be provided for the interpretation for an ordinary person's existence. The excessive moral principles pinned on the intellectuals by the traditional Chinese society will be criticized. Furthermore, a modernism perspective will be employed here to interpret Ni Huanzhi, and with the long-pinned "political text" label being ripped, its true and humane significance will be restored.