The New Culture/ May Fourth Movement: Youth and Art as Forces for Change
Main Questions:
-- What old cultural practices and ideas were under attack by young intellectuals at this time?
--What new ideas and values did they champion?
--What do you think is the main message of Lu Xun’s ‘Diary of a Madman’?
What is the madman criticizing?
How does the story convey New Culture values and ideals?
What does the story reveal about the New Culture generation’s perceptions of
‘traditional’ Chinese culture?
Readings:
Background:
DS 774.M4
Rana Mitter, A bitter revolution: China's struggle with the modern world (Chapters 2 and 3)
Also available as an electronic resource through library website
Core Readings:
Lu Xun, “A Madman’s Diary” Available as a handout and online at:
http://www.coldbacon.com/writing/luxun-calltoarms.html#Madman
Schwarcz, V. (1986) ‘The May Fourth Enlightenment.’ In: The Chinese enlightenment:
intellectuals and the legacy of the May Fourth Movement of 1919. London: University of
California Press, Ch.3: PAGES 94-117 (available through course extracts for HI168)
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/library/main/electronicresources/extracts/hi/hi168/schw
arcz_v_1986.pdf