Chapter 22 Reading a Model Composition by Zhou Enlai in His Boyhood

In the autumn of 1910, the young Zhou Enlai followed his fourth uncle from Tieling Yingang Academy to Fengtian Dongguan Model School to study.This school is a new-style school established in the trend of "abolishing imperial examinations and promoting schools" in the late Qing Dynasty. It is located on the bank of Wanquan River outside Dadongmen, the ancient city of Shenyang.At that time, Zhou Enlai was a transfer student in the fifth grade of the school. He was very happy to teach "new learning" with "the grandeur of the school building and the abundance of talents".The new trend of thought greatly broadened his vision and made him mature day by day.

In October 1912, the teachers and students of the school gathered grandly to commemorate the second anniversary of the Dongguan Model School.Zhou Enlai, who was only 14 years old, wrote the "Feelings on the Second Anniversary of Fengtian Dongguan Model School", which caused a sensation among the teachers and students of the school.The article was posted in the "Achievement Exhibition Office" by the school's teaching office, and the students competed to watch it.I saw the composition teacher's comment at the back of the article: "Teaching is not enough to teach, learning is not enough to teach, school is not enough to speak about school, and writing is not enough to speak about articles." Spiritual flow." The students also called Zhou Enlai's article "a model composition in a model school".

This article by the young Zhou Enlai swept away the stereotyped style of feudal stereotyped essays, with novel and profound ideas, incisive and unique reasoning, earnest statements, and new ideas abound. First of all, Zhou Enlai pointed out to his classmates: "Who are we, we are not citizens who will bear the responsibility of the country in the future!" He then proposed that students should study for the purpose of taking on and realizing the "difficult responsibilities of the country in the future".Now that the purpose of learning is clear, we must have a good learning attitude.So he raised the question of "with such a heavy burden in the future, based on the three or four years of elementary school, how should classmates and classmates work hard, so that they will not be ashamed of it".Zhou Enlai believed that students must "study deeply and fully discuss" "various subjects", and not "taste and stop, see differences and change, wait for progress", but "think carefully and discern".That is to say, you must not be satisfied with half-knowledge in learning, you must not be afraid of hard work, step by step, be diligent in practice, not ashamed to ask, but also good at thinking and seeking up and down.Only with this kind of dedicated learning spirit can one master various subject knowledge and benefit the people in the future.

Secondly, Zhou Enlai pointed out to the school: "Where is this place, it is not the school that cultivates our complete citizens!" Therefore, he places high hopes on "the most admirable and knowledgeable principals and teachers."As for how to run a good school?He boldly delivered a "feeling speech", earnestly hoping that the school "creates talents for the country", "should be smart and use its talents, seek rectification, pay attention to reality, and check the content first. It will be effective; don't be extravagant and whitewashed, so as to gain my reputation." "The principal chooses good teaching materials for the students, and the teaching is for the students to achieve further education. The sense of beauty is more invigorated by the national spirit. The education is perfect and the school spirit is pure." These valuable insights still have a reference role for today's education.

Thirdly, Zhou Enlai, a young man, aimed at the dark side of the reality at that time, and in his "Testimonials" specially warned the principals and teachers, "Don't join the political party and the party for personal gain, so as to disturb their minds and perfunctory their daily affairs." At that time, the malpractice of the factions and associations of "establishing the party for selfishness" and immoral morality pointed out the correct way to correct the school spirit and run the school in a healthy manner. In 1913, the province held an educational achievement exhibition. This article was selected as a first-class composition and included in the book "Chinese Achievements of Fengtian Educational Products Exhibition".In 1915, Shanghai Progress Bookstore collected excellent compositions from primary and secondary schools in nine provinces across the country, compiled a 22-volume "School Chinese Scores" and published it.Zhou Enlai's "Testimonials" was also included as a model composition.These two anthologies of elementary and middle school students have preserved Zhou Enlai's precious work in his youth for us.After reading this "Testimonials", the glorious image of a heroic young man with lofty ambitions, talents, and tireless pursuit of truth is in front of his eyes. Who can not be inspired by it, and who can not be moved by it? !