1979: My fiancée is a goddess

Chapter 318 The Nature of Children's Literature

November 24th, early in the morning.

Beijing, Ye Shengtao's residence.

The courtyard door, which was painted with mottled red paint and had couplets pasted on it, creaked and was pushed open with a bang.

"dad!"

"Come out quickly, and take a look! There's good news!"

Then a middle-aged woman wearing a floral cotton jacket and a hat came in, holding her head high, holding a stack of newspapers in her hands, and shouted happily.

In the main room.

An old man with white hair and wrapped tightly in a warm coat was eating at the dining table, drinking porridge with pickles.

Hearing his daughter-in-law's noisy movements, Ye Shengtao frowned and looked up, and asked in a light tone: "What's wrong? It's so early in the morning!"

"Dad, look at today's newspaper. It says Kaiyan's work was published abroad and won over a visiting American professor!"

Aunt Yao Cheng's face was flushed with joy at this time. She handed the rolled-up newspaper in her hand to the table and explained with a loud laugh.

"Ah--"

The old man raised his eyebrows slightly, a little surprised.

It was actually published abroad?
He quickly took the newspaper and read it carefully, with such a serious look that he didn't want to miss any word.

After a while.

“It turned out to be Chinese Literature. I mentioned it when Kaiyan came here earlier.

This visiting American professor is an expert in children's literature. It's not just luck that he likes Kaiyan's works. This just proves that our children's literature is not worse than that of the United States!"

“This is a good thing!”

The old man's usually calm eyes brightened up a lot and he clapped and cheered.

"Haha, that's right. Kaiyan is already a leader in the younger generation of children's literature. If his works are not good, then wouldn't others be even worse?"

Aunt Yao Cheng looked at the old man's happy expression and said with a smile.

"That's right! Don't you see whose student he is?"

The old man snorted, thought for a moment, and then ordered: "Xiao Yao, this American professor is holding a Sino-US children's literature exchange meeting. I have to go and take a look. You can help make preparations tomorrow..."

"Okay..."

……

After it was published in the newspaper, it had a significant impact and attracted the attention of many people.

Many people feel sincerely proud that Cheng Kaiyan's works have conquered American professors.

Some people are interested in exchange meetings.

For a time, many people went to Beijing Normal University to see this American professor and this exchange meeting.

Beijing Normal University adheres to the attitude of open communication and welcomes all comers, which really enhances its reputation.

On the 25th, Beijing Normal University, Auditorium.

Today's auditorium is more lively than the previous two days.

Today, many children's literature writers from outside and some scholars came to the auditorium.

"Director Fang, is this our communication list for today?"

Professor Ansel took a piece of white paper from Director Fang, on which was written in both Chinese and English the names of the people who came to participate in the China-US Children's Literature Exchange Conference.

After looking for a while, I found Cheng Kaiyan's name on the list.

"Why is Cheng on it? This time I invited experts and scholars in the field of children's literature theory. Why did you, Beijing Normal University, put Cheng Kaiyan on it as well?"

Professor Ansel pointed to a name on the paper and looked at Director Fang with a frown.

There was doubt and dissatisfaction in his eyes.

In his speech on stage the day before yesterday at noon, he expressed his love for Cheng Kaiyan's works.

This incident also made the newspaper.

Perhaps Beijing Normal University wanted Cheng Kaiyan to join in the fun on stage?

Although Professor Ansel could understand this, this was not a child's game but a serious academic exchange meeting.

In addition, in the past two days, Professor Ansel has also gained some understanding of Cheng Kaiyan's work at Beijing Normal University. He knows that he is studying in the writer's class while working as a university assistant.

Before he graduated, to put it bluntly, he still only had a high school diploma.

Director Fang looked at Professor Ansel, who seemed a little angry, and was amazed at the principle and rigor of this American professor. He then smiled and explained:

"Professor, I think you misunderstood. It's not surprising that Comrade Cheng Kaiyan appears on the exchange list. Although he is a writer, he is no stranger to children's literature theory."

"what?"

"Are you saying that Cheng Kaiyan also studies the theory of children's literature?"

Professor Ansel was stunned for a moment and asked quickly.

His first reaction was that it was impossible. Could Director Fang be lying?

But on second thought, the two casual words Cheng Kaiyan said yesterday could give me inspiration and enlightenment.

This young man may not be unfamiliar with the theory of children's literature.

"Of course, this year, Cheng Kaiyan and his elder, Professor Jiang Ting, jointly completed an academic research paper titled "Three Major Themes of Children's Literature".

After half a year of fermentation, this paper has now become a must-read academic paper for children's literature majors in my country.

Even Cheng Kaiyan himself has been praised as a pioneer in the theoretical research of children's literature in my country and a master of children's literature! "

Director Fang raised his chin and introduced himself to the proud American professor with confidence on his face.

To be honest, if Professor Ansel had come to Beijing Normal University to exchange ideas on children's literature theory, Xiao Jianshan would not have dared to embarrass Cheng Kaiyan.

"Oh! Mygod!"

“It’s incredible!”

After Professor Ansel heard Director Fang's explanation and introduction, he felt a surge of disgust in his heart.

What did you hear?
Cheng is not only a talented writer, but also a pioneer in the field of children's literature theoretical research!

His thesis has even become a must-read for children's literature majors in this country!

Professor Ansel was ashamed of his arrogance and he lowered his head to reflect deeply.

Obviously they didn't really understand each other.

But I kept denying this young man over and over again.

Director Fang looked at the professor who was shocked into silence with a smile on his face, feeling secretly happy.

"Director Fang, I think your arrangement is correct, but before that, could you let me see Cheng Kaiyan's paper?"

Professor Ansel asked sincerely.

I still can't quite believe it in my heart, but this kind of thing cannot be faked. After all, it will be easily seen at the exchange meeting later.

"Of course, but this paper has too much content to finish in a few weeks. Please wait and I will find it for you in a while."

Director Fang waved his hand and agreed readily on the spot.

This action immediately dispelled the last trace of doubt in the professor's mind.

This is real!

So Cheng Kaiyan... Oh no, Mr. Cheng has profound attainments in the theoretical research of children's literature.

……

The exchange meeting officially began at nine o'clock in the morning.

There was a large group of people sitting in the audience.

There were newspaper reporters holding cameras, government cultural officials, professors and scholars from various universities, and even writers outside the university.

Of course, the majority are students.

Professor Ansel put down the paper in his hand and walked up to the podium leisurely.

At this time, a woman wearing a black slim-fit suit was standing in front of the loudspeaker on the podium.

His cold and intellectual temperament attracted many people in the audience to look at him sideways.

This is Jiang Ting.

She glanced at the professor who had come up to the stage and nodded slightly, then raised the microphone and announced calmly:

"Ladies and gentlemen, I declare that the China-US Children's Literature Exchange Conference is now officially open!"

"Clap clap clap!"

As soon as he finished speaking, sparse applause echoed in the auditorium. Professor Ansel felt the enthusiasm of the applause and glanced at the crowd below the stage.

Finally, on the side near the window, we locked onto a young man sitting by the window.

Cheng Kaiyan was sitting with a young lady and they seemed to have a very good relationship.

Cheng Kaiyan noticed the gaze and looked up.

The two looked at each other and nodded to express their respect and reverence.

At this time, Jiang Ting, who was the hostess today, announced:

"Please welcome Mr. Cheng Kaiyan, a scholar from Beijing Normal University, to the stage!"

Her cold voice echoed in the auditorium.

"Clap clap clap!"

The applause became even louder because the news about Professor Ansel of Pennsylvania University and the famous writer Cheng Kaiyan had been circulating widely in the past two days.

Many people come here just to join in the fun.

See if it's really like what the newspaper says.

"The first person to open the meeting was Teacher Xiao Cheng! It seems that it is true as the rumors say, the professor held this exchange meeting because of Teacher Xiao Cheng!"

"I used to think that Mr. Cheng Kaiyan's works were just too famous, but now it seems that's not the case. Even the Americans are interested in him!"

"Isn't it? It's so impressive! Professor Jiang is the host today. She's so beautiful!"

"Tsk! He's just using foreign powers to bully others!"

Someone muttered sourly.

"I'm coming."

“It’s time to go on stage.”

Many people quickly turned their heads to look, not caring even though their necks were twisted and painful.

I only saw a young man wearing a black woolen coat and a black scarf around his neck walking down the aisle, walking towards the stage slowly.

"Hello everyone, I am Cheng Kaiyan."

Cheng Kaiyan walked onto the stage, approached the coil speaker, and spoke in a calm tone.

"Mr. Cheng, Professor Ansel, please."

Jiang Ting nodded slightly to the two of them, spread out her white and tender palm and pointed behind her.

There is a coffee table and three sofas on the stage.

The three of them took their seats one after another.

Jiang Ting sat in the middle. She was invited to serve as the host and English translator of this event.

Soon the exchange meeting began and the whole auditorium fell silent.

The professor spoke first, and then the host Jiang Ting translated.

"Chinese children's literature has long been the subject of research for American scholars on Chinese culture.

In the view of many scholars, contemporary Chinese children's literature lacks romance and fantasy, and its realistic writing style and purpose serve political tasks.

There seems to be no image of innocent, cute, lively and pure children. Instead, we often see children being portrayed as little heroes or soldiers.

This is quite rare, but not a good thing...

However, judging from Mr. Cheng Kaiyan’s works, this phenomenon seems to be slowly changing, and Chinese children’s literature is beginning to return to the children’s center.”

Professor Ansel paused, then smiled and said, "This also relates to the topic that Mr. Cheng and I will discuss today - what is the essence of children's literature."

Cheng Kaiyan, who was sitting opposite him, raised his eyebrows.

The audience also focused.

This topic is a bit broad.

“Everyone must be thinking that this topic is difficult to discuss because it is too broad.

Let’s not talk about this for now. Let me talk about my research over the past six months.

Children's fiction theory.

That is, the children in children's literature are unreal and false, and are created by adult authors."

After these words were spoken, some insightful scholars in the audience fell into deep thought.

"But yesterday, Mr. Cheng Kaiyan's words gave me a new perspective. Mr. Cheng said: Maybe fairy tales were created because adults have memories of their childhood."

Having said that, the professor looked across at Cheng Kaiyan.

Now Ye Shengtao, Chen Bochui and others in the audience also realized why the professor brought this up.

Fictional children, reasons for creation…

They all point to the essence of children's literature.

The latter nodded, "I did say that."

“So I think not only are children fake, but children’s literature itself is fake!”

Professor Ansel glanced at the two people on the stage, then looked at the audience below the stage and announced in a resounding voice.

As soon as these words came out, it immediately caused an uproar.

“Children’s literature is all fake?!”

“If children’s literature isn’t children’s literature, then what is it?”

Many scholars looked stunned.

"Wow! After listening to a lecture, the children's literature we have studied for so many years simply ceased to exist."

Some people also had cold eyes and made sarcastic remarks.

"What does Mr. Cheng think?"

The professor looked at Cheng Kaiyan expectantly.

Jiang Ting, who was sitting in the middle, and the audience below the stage also looked at it curiously.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the auditorium was extremely silent, and everyone was waiting for Cheng Kaiyan's answer.

But Cheng Kaiyan lowered his head in thought and said nothing.

Jiang Ting frowned and felt nervous.

Time passed quietly, and finally he suddenly raised his head, smiled and said:

“Professor, what you call children’s literature is fake and not actually accurate.

I prefer to describe it this way: Children’s literature is not really written for children.”

When the professor heard this, his eyes lit up.

The scholars in the audience also started discussing the issue.

"That's both right and wrong. Some works are written by adults for themselves, but they are also written for children."

Chen Bochui shook his head to express his opinion.

"Kai Yan's point is that the essence of children's literature is not to serve children, but to serve adults, to serve adults' emotions, desires, and control over children."

Ye Shengtao thought for a moment and understood what his student wanted to express.

Soon, Cheng Kaiyan waited for everyone to digest it before continuing:
“In my opinion, its essence is actually a fiction created by adults about the social concept of childhood.

Adults construct pure, innocent, and idealized images of childhood through children's literature, which are actually psychological projections of adults' inner emotions, desires, etc.

Just like Peter Pan's "never long" is the adult's fantasy of "eternal childhood", but in reality children must grow up, this fantasy is essentially the adult's resistance to time.

……

Every work of children's literature hides adults' fantasies about innocence, control and self-salvation.

The idealized image of children that is unilaterally and violently indoctrinated into children is actually very different from the real children.

Perhaps this is the paradox of children’s literature: it claims to be written “for children” but can never truly reach the hearts of children.

The words fell.

Professor Ansel, Jiang Ting and even many scholars were all shocked.

Because Cheng Kaiyan's remarks are equivalent to challenging the myth of the purity of children's literature.

"Clap clap clap!"

The professor looked at Cheng Kaiyan with a burning gaze and was the first to applaud.

Then, the whole auditorium erupted in applause.

(End of this chapter)