A Comparative Study Of Old Tales Retold And Shiti

Old Tales Retold and Shiti respectively included historical novels written by lu xun and guo moruo in the 1920 s and 1930 s.Both of them were called historical sketches by the authors and using anecdotes of the past to allude to the present,and coincided with each other,but their styles are different.Based on the special background of these two writings,this text compares their similarities and differences and explores the cause of formation,so as to deepen understanding and grasp of these two writings.As the pioneering and representative writings of modern historical novels,Old Tales Retold and Shiti actually have many similarities in artistic license.For example,they both use“sketch” and apply expressionism.In the description of scenery,language and character,they use the unique defamiliarization a lot and show the allegorical way of thought.However,due to the different acceptance of foreign ideas,the different attitudes between LuXun and Guo Moruo's towards traditional culture are negative and respect,different concerns on the cognition of typical problem and traditions of literature creation,which make the two writings have great differences in artistic expression styles.First of all,in terms of artistic shaping,even if they narrate the same historical figures,their emotional value is opposite.For the characterize,one majored in “expression”,the other majored in “body”.Secondly,their treatments of historical truth are different,Lu Xun was particular about “the basis of old books”,while Guo Moruo was " similarity without real things".In addition,Lu Xun's essay skills are caustic and humorous,while Guo Moruo's used the poetic style to express his emotion directly.Therefore,although there're some similarities between Lu's and Guo's historical novels such as genre,content and artistic technique,while Guo Moruo was influenced by Lu Xun during his creation,it isn't "imitation".Objectively speaking,these two historical collections can be regarded as two of the most classical writings in the history of modern literature.However,Old Tales Retold has been widely circulated,Shiti has not,which also shows the different value in literary history.Firstly,Old Tales Retold is earlier than Shiti,which means first impressions are strongest.Secondly,compared to Shiti,the theme of Old Tales Retold is wider and deeper.Thirdly,in terms of characterization,the characters in Old Tales Retold are more complex,plentiful and thought provoking,the characters in Shiti are more straightforward.Fourthly,for the extension of the literature of human and social value,Old Tales Retold reflects the author's more concern on The Times and human nature.Shiti on the other hand,is more superficial with the reality.If Lu Xun's novels are the mirror which reflect the social reality and the feudal old thoughts,Guo Moruo's novels are the records of a patriotic intellectual shouting out in the dark society.