Similarities And Differences: The Comparison Between Children's Literature And Adult Literature Of Zhang Tianyi

Early enamored of Lin Shu's and the "Mandarin Duck and Butterfly" works, Zhang Tianyi goes into the literary world with creation of comic novels and detective fiction. By the impact of progressive social thought at that time and the study of Lu Xun's works and classical works of elite, his creative thinking begins to change. The short story A Dream for Three Days and a Half written in November 1928 which marks the turning point of his creative thinking becomes his new starting point in realism literature. Until 1943, with strong momentum of creation, Zhang Tianyi has published twelve medium-length and short stories: From Empty to Full, Little Peter, Bee, Counterattack, Transition, Reunion, Ching Ming Festival, Million-Ren Treaty, Chase, Spring Breeze, Fellows, Three Sketches, and five novels: Hell Diary, Gear, A Year, Pidgin Odd Knight, In the City. At the same time, he contributes for Chinese modern children's literature with refreshing fairy tales such as Dalin and Xiaolin, Bald King and Golden-Duck Empire. After the founding of the PRC, he writes children's fiction and fairy tales such as The Story of Luo Wenying and Secret of the Magic Gourd, which have broad implications among children. It can be said that Zhang Tianyi gains achievements in both adult literature and children's literature.On the basis of taking children's literature and adult literature of Zhang Tianyi as a whole, the article gives two types of his works systematic, comprehensive and detailed reading and comparison, finds out the similarities and the differences between them, and tries to reveal relevant theoretical issues of children's literature according to this case.The article is composed of introduction, text and conclusion:The Introduction mainly clarifies the typical significance of Zhang Tianyi as a "part-time" children's literature author. The text includes four chapters: Chapter One sorts out the "part-time" phenomenon that the adult literature authors take up children's literature in accordance with Chinese children's literature history and indicates the feasibility of comparing children's literature with adult literature of the same author. Chapter Two mainly discusses about what adult literature and children's literature of Zhang Tianyi have in common--" the similarities within differences ": the purpose of creation of flogging the dark and alerting the public; the creative principle of facing life and being loyal to the reality; good at describing characters in cartoon strokes; highlighting the theme with the approach of sharp contrast; the talent to create broad fantasy world. Chapter Three analyzes the "differentiated" treatment on the writing attitude and the artistic skills which Zhang Tianyi makes when managing adult literature and children's literature-- "the differences within similarities": He studies under Lu Xun and puts the thinking about national character into his literary creations, revealing and criticizing the weaknesses and poor quality of national character in adult literature while reconstructing the ideal national character in children's literature. His works are known for the irony. In adult Literature, the object of satire concentrates on adults with rich and diverse performance practices, mature skills and spicy strokes. In children's literature, the object of satire gradually turns to children. Performance practices are somewhat monotonous, dominated by exaggeration, and the attitude also tends to be gentle. Most of his works contain humor, which is more inclined to satire of the ways of the world and human in adult literature and integrated with fantasy characteristics and game spirit in children's literature. The theme or subject matter of his works is sometimes similar or the same, which is presented in dark and low appearance in adult literature and given simple and bright colors in children's literature. Chapter Four points out that the exploration of the case of Zhang Tianyi can provide some inspiration for contemporary children's literature: Children's literature and adult literature have their own border, but children's literature can also learn from adult literature in the theme or subject matter, etc.The key is how to achieve a proper expression. The conclusion points out that his works are not irrefutable classics and also have its limitations on the basis of admitting the achievements of children's literature of Zhang Tianyi.