Regarding Lu Xun and Hu Shi, people like to judge them with opposing views and positions, but this is too one-sided and general. Lu Xun and Hu Shi were both spiritual leaders of the people during that turbulent era, playing a crucial role in promoting ideological liberation and cultural progress.
The two are not only the driving forces of history, but also two important milestones in the history of Chinese literature. They are right and wrong, and future generations have no way or authority to distinguish. Until today, the two are still important figures that cannot be ignored in the development history of Chinese literature. These two cultural peaks have both a strong connection and contradictions.
Different ideologies and writing styles
Even though both of them initially participated in the New Culture Movement, their ideas were still vastly different, which led to vastly different literary styles.
Mr. Lu Xun stands from the standpoint of the people and is deeply aware of their misfortune. From “studying medicine cannot save China” to “being cold to a thousand fingers, bowing down and willing to be a child and ox”. It is enough to see that Mr. Lu Xun had a deep understanding of the national conditions of old China at that time. The overall national strength is poor and backward due to the isolation of the country, and the people live a difficult life of not having enough to eat and not being warm.
As a literati, he used his pen as a dagger and javelin, exposing and criticizing the dark side of the entire society from various aspects. And he is not afraid of any power or influence, and dares to fight against anyone. More often than not, people are willing to call Mr. Lu Xun a fighter. With this mentality of putting himself to the brink of death and surviving, he has won the recognition and trust of the people.
Mr. Hu Shi’s views on governing the country are exactly opposite to those of Lu Xun. Hu Shi believed that although governing the country is important, it should be carried out in a more scientific and rigorous manner. However, gradually, Hu Shi’s ideas also deviated from the concept of new literature. He advocated that students should spend three-quarters of their time reading and studying ancient literature.
During the May Fourth Movement, he strongly opposed the student movement and believed that disputes between the country and the outside world should not affect and hinder students’ interest in learning. It was precisely this viewpoint that put Hu Shi in a completely opposite position to the crowd striving for progress and ideological liberation at that time.
But Mr. Hu Shi is not wrong, just as his student Tang Degang said in his book: Mr. Hu Shi was a master of enlightenment in the development process from traditional China to modern China. Unlike Mr. Lu Xun’s fierce literary style, Mr. Hu Shi’s moderate literary style does not mean that he lacks independent thinking and spirit.
In fact, Mr. Hu Shi has also been working hard on the path of pursuing freedom. He often exerts his power to promote social development in the gaps of political rule, even though this power is insignificant, it is still firmly remembered by people. The only difference between him and Mr. Lu Xun is that he failed to distinguish himself from the remaining parties of the old society and engage in a fair and upright struggle with the dark forces like Mr. Lu Xun.