【名人简历】鲁迅

Lu Xun (鲁迅)

Writer, Critic, and Revolutionary Thinker
Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
(1881 – 1936)

About

Lu Xun, born Zhou Shuren (周树人), is widely regarded as the father of modern Chinese literature. He pioneered the use of vernacular Chinese in fiction, starting with his groundbreaking short story “Diary of a Madman” in 1918, and played a pivotal role in the New Culture Movement and May Fourth Movement. His works, including sharp social critiques and essays, exposed the flaws of traditional Chinese society, advocated for reform, and influenced generations. As a translator, editor, and activist, he founded the League of Left-Wing Writers and translated foreign literature from Japanese, German, and Russian sources. Despite a brief foray into medicine, he dedicated his life to literature and intellectual pursuits, leaving a lasting legacy in Chinese culture and thought.

Experience

Freelance Writer, Editor, and Translator

Shanghai, China
1927 – 1936

• Founded and led the China League of Left-Wing Writers in Shanghai, promoting progressive literature and social change.
• Published major collections of short stories and essays, including “Call to Arms” (呐喊, 1923) and “Wandering” (彷徨, 1926), critiquing feudalism and societal ills.
• Translated numerous foreign works, introducing Western and Russian literature to Chinese readers.
• Engaged in literary criticism and polemics, contributing to journals like “New Youth” and defending intellectual freedom amid political turmoil.

Dean of Arts and Director of Academic Affairs

Sun Yat-sen University (中山大学), Guangzhou, China
January 1927 – September 1927

• Served as head of the literature department and director of academic affairs.
• Taught Chinese literature and supported student movements during a period of political upheaval.
• Resigned due to conflicts with authorities over academic freedom and political repression.

Professor of Chinese Literature

Xiamen University (厦门大学), Xiamen, China
August 1926 – December 1926

• Lectured on Chinese literature and fiction history.
• Contributed to curriculum development in modern Chinese studies.

Lecturer/Professor

Peking University (北京大学), Beijing Normal University, and other institutions, Beijing, China
1920 – 1926

• Delivered lectures on the history of Chinese fiction and modern literature.
• Participated in the New Culture Movement, collaborating with figures like Chen Duxiu and Hu Shi.
• Supported student protests, including those at Beijing Women’s Normal University, advocating for educational reform.

Section Chief, Social Education Department

Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
1912 – 1926

• Served as an official in the Republic of China’s Ministry of Education, initially in Nanjing under the provisional government.
• Oversaw social education initiatives, including museum development and cultural preservation.
• Engaged in administrative work while pursuing personal literary interests, such as collecting rubbings of ancient inscriptions.

Teacher and School Supervisor

Zhejiang Normal School (浙江两级师范学堂) and Shaoxing Middle School (绍兴府中学堂), Zhejiang, China
1909 – 1911

• Taught chemistry and physiology at Zhejiang Normal School in Hangzhou.
• Served as supervisor (principal equivalent) at Shaoxing Middle School.
• Focused on science education while beginning to explore literary translation.

Education

Sendai Medical Academy (仙台医学专科学校)

Sendai, Japan
1904 – 1906

• Studied Western medicine but left without graduating after a pivotal realization about the need for cultural reform over physical healing.
• Influenced by events like viewing slides of the Russo-Japanese War, which inspired his shift to literature.

Kobun Institute (东京弘文学院)

Tokyo, Japan
1902 – 1904

• Studied Japanese language and preparatory courses.
• Engaged with Chinese revolutionary circles and began reading Western philosophy and literature.

Nanjing School of Mines and Railways (南京矿路学堂)

Nanjing, China
1899 – 1902

• Studied mining, railways, and related sciences.
• Graduated with distinction, earning a government scholarship to study abroad.

Jiangnan Naval Academy (江南水师学堂)

Nanjing, China
1898 – 1899

• Studied naval affairs and Western sciences.
• Transferred due to dissatisfaction with the program’s quality.

Traditional Chinese Education

Sanwei Study (三味书屋), Shaoxing, China
1890s

• Received classical Chinese education under private tutor Lifu Jingwu (寿镜吾), studying Confucian classics, poetry, and history.

Skills

• Creative Writing (Short Stories, Essays, Poetry)
• Literary Criticism and Social Commentary
• Translation (Japanese, German, Russian Literature)
• Editing and Publishing
• Public Speaking and Lecturing
• Cultural Reform Advocacy

Publications

• Diary of a Madman (狂人日记), 1918 – First modern Chinese short story in vernacular, critiquing cannibalism as a metaphor for feudal society.
• The True Story of Ah Q (阿Q正传), 1921 – Satirical novella on national character and self-deception.
• Call to Arms (呐喊), 1923 – Collection of short stories addressing social issues.
• Wandering (彷徨), 1926 – Further stories exploring despair and hope in modern China.
• Wild Grass (野草), 1927 – Prose poetry collection reflecting inner turmoil.
• Numerous essays, translations (e.g., works by Nikolai Gogol and Alexander Pushkin), and critical pieces in journals like New Youth.

Languages

• Chinese (Native)
• Japanese (Proficient)
• English, German, Russian (Reading/Translation Proficiency)

Additional Sections

Volunteer Experience

• Active in revolutionary circles in Japan (1900s), supporting Sun Yat-sen’s alliance.
• Supported May Fourth Movement (1919) and student protests against warlord governments.

Honors & Awards

• Recognized as a pioneer of modern Chinese literature by the People’s Republic of China.
• Posthumous honors include museums and memorials in Shaoxing and Shanghai.

Interests

• Collecting ancient rubbings and artifacts.
• Woodblock prints and graphic arts.
• Philosophy and evolutionary theory (influenced by Darwin and Nietzsche).