Lu Xun Zhou Zuoren Creation Of The Modern Essay Style

Both Lu Xun and Zhou Zuoren are two great literary giants in the history of modern Chinese prose. Their works, especially the essays they created, have come to respectively represent two distinctive genres. The unique skills in their works have exercised and are still exercising enormous influence over the coming generations. Currently studies of them are becoming increasingly popular. This paper, based on their styles, intends to make a comprehensive survey of their essays, their stylistic achievements as well as the contributions they have made.It is noticeable that this paper, in the light of traditional Chinese stylistic theories, has frequently consulted some Western commentaries for reference while trying to present a clear panorama of the chief features created by the Zhou brothers. Accordingly, our concern is the major stylistic components of their essays, ranging from the language, the peculiar intrigues to argue to emotional expressions, humor, satire and comical elements. In addition, we have also intended to dwell on the categories of their essays. In addition, the influence they received from both Chinese and Western prose has occupied no less of our attention.Part One: Stylistic LanguageWitnessing a transitional period in modern Chinese literature, both Lu Xun and Zhou Zuoren never hesitated to take over from the West what was useful to their literary composition. Through a happy choice of Chinese classics, the brothers succeeded in bringing about a unique style of their own in the employment of either vocabulary or grammar or rhetoric or even rhythm. No doubt, their efforts have functioned to enrich the Chinese language.Part Two: Intrigues to ArgueEssays exist to argue. By intrigues to argue, we mean their queer and artistic approaches to revelation of hidden viewpoints by way of images and logic in a certain context. And a detailed analysis is provided.Part Three: Self-expression of EmotionsModern prose and essays alike are chiefly characterized by a self-expression of feelings. As the two writer brothers developed a different emotional attitude towards society and life, the means they expressed themselves in their essays were also quite different. Essays by Lu Xun with strong love and hate tend to bravely face the rigid and ruthless reality, conveying a vehement, detached, and desolate sense of tragedy. In contrast, reserved in nature, the younger brother in his essays paid more attention to earthly life. He was fondof a calm and moderate exposition, displaying a bitterness disguised in mildness.Part Four: Satire and HumorTheir essays are simultaneously characterized by an appropriate use of such comic elements as satire, comic strokes and humor. In this way the different flavor of their essays is displayed to the full. Both of them resorted to traditional and Western comic elements for their intentions. These traditional comic elements including theatric imitation, vulgar and obscene skills, are mixed with foreign elements to create grotesqueness.Part Five: Categories and Structure of EssaysCategories and Structure are indispensable components of essays. Therefore, this paper intends to make an overall introduction to the categories and structure in their essays, and to the breakthrough in their literary compositions.The Conclusion:To conclude, this paper mentions the fact that their essays have exerted influence over the coming generations and are also influenced by both Chinese and foreign rivals. Among the Chinese classics mentioned that influenced Lu Xun, they are essays created prior to the Qin Dynasty, and during the Wei and Jin Dynasties. Lu Xun also has something to do with the works by a Japanese essayist. The younger brother was, on the other contrary, influenced mostly by the Chinese essays, which are produced at a later time. He benefited a lot from the essays written in the Wei-Jin Dynasties and late Ming Dynasty, together from those written by both British and Japanese essayists. A rough explanation is given to the background against which the two brothers c...