Sun Yu- Approaching from the perspective of traditional culture is an important methodology for understanding Lu Xun and his works
On October 7th, Renmin University of China hosted a reading session for the book “Lu Xun and Traditional Chinese Studies” at the School of Arts. The author, Professor Sun Yu, highlighted the significance of traditional culture within Lu Xun’s intellectual framework and its foundational role in his literary contributions. He believes that comprehending this connection offers a crucial methodological lens for understanding both Lu Xun and his work.
During the event, Professor Sun shared that two decades ago, he engaged in a deep discussion with Professor Gu Nong about Lu Xun’s perspective on traditional Chinese scholarship, which ignited his enduring fascination with the topic. After completing several significant works related to Lu Xun, he came to the realization that the understanding of Lu Xun is inherently tied to his traditional cultural heritage. His years of reflection, research, and writing culminated in this latest publication.
When discussing Lu Xun’s ties to traditional culture, Professor Sun noted that Lu Xun was born in East Zhejiang and had strong connections to the East Zhejiang School. After relocating to Beijing for more than ten years, he invested considerable effort in editing ancient texts, searching for epitaphs, visiting historical sites, and preserving cultural heritage. Sun remarked that Lu Xun approached traditional cultural heritage from a global perspective, pioneering contributions in areas such as textual criticism, literary history, and the compilation of literary works. The impact of traditional culture profoundly influenced his writing, scholarship, aesthetics, and overall ideology.
On the interaction between traditional culture and foreign civilizations, Sun argued that Lu Xun recognized the valuable elements of traditional culture through external influences. His thoughts not only intersect with those of philosophers like Zhuangzi and Mozi but also resonate with the ideas of Kant and Heidegger. Lu Xun’s artistic vision seamlessly combined elements of pre-Qin architecture and Han dynasty sculpture with Western modernist painting. He also translated Nietzsche through the lens of Zhuangzi and Liezi and adapted foreign novels into the stylistic framework of the Six Dynasties. “Lu Xun’s approach was about ‘sourcing from the present and reviving the past, creating a new paradigm,’” Sun explained. He successfully merged the finest aspects of traditional Chinese culture with meaningful elements from foreign cultures through a process of ‘detoxification’ and ‘clarification,’ coupled with a critical self-examination of himself and his peers from the May Fourth Movement. Lu Xun’s generation is credited with preserving the most dynamic aspects of traditional culture, enabling the flourishing of Han civilization.
The session also featured insights from various experts and scholars based on their diverse academic backgrounds. Professor Yang Lianfen from Renmin University emphasized that research on Lu Xun should transcend specialized knowledge systems, advocating for broader and more dynamic viewpoints. Additionally, Professor Zhang Jueyu, also from Renmin University, pointed out that “Lu Xun and Traditional Chinese Studies” serves as a bridge between Lu Xun’s scholarship and other fields, marking it as a landmark contribution to the study of Lu Xun.
This reading session was part of a series of events celebrating the 87th anniversary of Renmin University of China, co-hosted by the School of Arts and Commercial Press.
