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Wen Lan Reading: One Flower, One World—Appreciate the Details of Literature and Art

pub:Zhejiang Library  time:2018/05/07  count:52

New installment of Wen Lan Reading showed again on the morning of May 5. The theme of this installment is One Flower, One World—Appreciate the details of literature and art, which was given by Zhang Yihui, a teacher familiar with and loved by readers. Even though it began to rain in the morning, and there were some water on the road, it did not dispel everyone’s love for literature. The audience arrived at the collective audiovisual room early and began to communicate.

First of all, in a concise and precise language, Professor Zhang Yihui introduced to us the definition of details in literature, namely, things, actions, words and other specific things. It emphasized two parts among them: things and concrete, which actually required the attention to environmental matters and specific description. Mr. Zhang thought, in literature and art, the details were the “romantic charm” in literary works, which was the essence of the article. The Bible states: “There is nothing new under the sun. The new one is just the details.” Actually, from the earliest times to the present day, what happened in the world actually has something in common. Why could literary works be unfading and bring forth the new through the old? Possible reason might be that there were updated creative details in new literary works. Things led to and constructed details, thus creating new souls. Here, Mr. Zhang gave an example of death of a hero in Heroic Death and Brave Heart of Chinese films. Traditional Chinese films has formed a routine that the hero faces death unflinchingly. Then the shot turned to the pine and the sea waves, and here was the scene of sacrifice in the Brave Heart as well. The expression of heroes in the film contained a sense of fear for death, with eyes full of emotions, all of which made us be personally on the scene and feel the truth. The above content supported the power of detail processing.

More than just a list of classic passages of many novels, Teacher Zhang found out specific fragments of films and music to show us how to appreciate the details in literature as well. For example, the method of “see small clue” was used in the song, I love you, China. One of the lyrics is “Gasang flower is blooming”. The detail processing regarding Gasang flower could show the regional and national character of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which was superior to any long essays. Simple words of Gasang flower could remind us of the sunshine and the thin air of the plateau. For another example, eight words of “Smile at each other, never against the heart” in the Great and Most Honoured Master of Chuang-Tzu transmitted Taoism from the details, depending on its conciseness and optimum detail expression. Such details also existed in “Strong enough to lift a tripod of Historical record written by Sima Qian; “A dog barks in the deep lanes. Chickens call from the tops of mulberry trees” in Back to the garden and fields written by Tao Yuanming; “I will give you the credit this time. Bring me some good wine.” in Kong Yiji written by Lu Xun, etc. A short detail would convey infinite meaning.

Copywriter/Volunteer  Zhao Jia