Chapter 60 be a teacher

Professor Wu Mi has been known for his serious lesson preparation since the day he stepped onto the podium.Wu Mi taught at Southeast University for three years, teaching courses such as "History of European Literature", and gained a reputation for a while, and the students praised him. In 1923, there was an article in "Tsinghua Weekly" about Wu Mi's lectures: he wrote the outline on the blackboard in advance, and when the lecture started, he didn't read the books or notes, and kept talking in an orderly manner.At the end of the article, he said with emotion: "Mr. Wu is also a classmate who graduated from Tsinghua University, and his alma mater failed to recruit him to come here. It is better not to be a pity!"

Cao Yunxiang, the president of Tsinghua University, asked Wu Mi to take charge of the preparatory work for the Academy of Chinese Studies and formulate a student training plan in accordance with the Harvard model.After Wu Mi entered the Academy of Chinese Studies, he hired four first-class domestic scholars, Wang Guowei, Liang Qichao, Chen Yinke and Zhao Yuanren, for the Academy of Chinese Studies. These are the famous "Four Mentors of Tsinghua University". Wen Yuanning said in "Mr. Wu Mi": "As a teacher, except for the lack of appeal, Mr. Wu can be said to be perfect. He strictly observes the time, like a clock, and lectures diligently, like a coolie. Others have quoted, He always opens the book and reads the original text, and he, no matter how long the quotation is, always recites it. No matter what he explains, he speaks in an orderly manner like a drill sergeant, the first point is like this, and the second point is like that. Boring, occasionally There is, but it’s definitely not out of the question. Some teachers talk about everything, but don’t make any comments. Mr. Wu expresses his own opinions with substance: he may be wrong, but at least he is not exaggerated. He is not ambiguous, Always decisive. In other words, he is not afraid of the consequences for himself by speaking out. He is blameless in matters of factual basis, especially as found in various encyclopedias and reference books, only in matters of interpretation and appreciation. You can still argue with him."

Wu Mi made many supplements to Zhai Mengsheng's "A Brief History of European Literature", and revised some fallacies.Every time he goes to class, he always brings this thick book, which contains many densely written and neat notes, or sticks the notes in the blank space.Wu Mi is extremely punctual, every time the class bell rang, he would walk into the classroom.Sometimes, before the students arrive, he is already standing at the door of the classroom holding a pack of books.When he started to give a lecture, he always had a smile on his face, first looked at his classmates, and sometimes called roll call.He mainly uses English in his classes, but sometimes he also speaks Chinese.His lectures are clear, organized and very easy to understand.

Wu Mi was very serious in class.Every morning at 7:30, he came to the classroom on time and began to write handouts on the blackboard.Soon, the handouts filled a blackboard, with reference books, authors, publishers, publication years, etc. written in detail.The students were curious, stepped forward to observe secretly, and found that he did not copy, but relied entirely on memory.In the impression of the students, Wu Mi is "serious, responsible, and meticulous" and "works hard like a slave rowing a boat in class."His students are: Qian Zhongshu, Cao Yu, Lu Shuxiang, Li Funing...

Wu Mi's memory is amazing. He said: "Mi's teaching is mostly based on memory, not on books, but there are inspections, which can be consulted in the library, and there is no need to buy them." Student Zhao Ruihong recalled Wu Mi and said: The "History of European Literature" taught by Mr. Wang was the most "popular".Many major events in literary history and the dates of birth and death of writers were blurted out, and the development of Western literature was compared with Chinese classical literature from time to time.His examination method is also very unique. There is always a question requiring students to silently write the longest poem they can recite or comment on a literary monograph.The layout of reference books is a blackboard. He not only writes the title of the book, the name of the author, and the year of publication (number of editions), but also the location of the publishing company.He kept it all in his stomach, and he wrote it out without checking, which made the students admire him.A classmate asked him how to learn classical literature well, and he answered casually: "Read more, memorize more, and use more."

Student Li Funing recalled Wu Mi: "Mr. writes Chinese characters, never writes simple characters. The fonts are always block letters, dignified and upright, and meticulous. This rigorous style of study has nurtured me and benefited me a lot throughout my life. The content of Mr.'s lectures is substantial and organized. Clear, never a word of nonsense. The teacher is extremely serious and responsible for teaching. He must come to the classroom ten minutes early for each class, wipe the blackboard, and prepare for the class. The teacher never misses class and never leaves early. Every time the teacher asks, he must Answer, treat students' questions with enthusiasm and seriousness, answer patiently, follow the instructions, and inspire students to answer questions by themselves. Mr. is more careful and serious in correcting students' homework, punctuating good sentences and wonderful places written by students, and writing specific comments. Help students correct their mistakes and make continuous progress."

Student Mao Yumei recalled teacher Wu Mi: "...Mr. is not good at housework. But when he revises articles for us, he always uses a brush dipped in red ink to write neatly. When a word is changed, it must be painted in all squares to avoid being Misunderstanding. The rigor of his scholarship is in stark contrast to the looseness of life." Wu Mi corrected the students' homework. The handwriting was neat, and the foreign letters and numbers written down were as neat as printed ones, with thick and thin strokes.He also has extremely strict requirements for students, registering for the new semester, and refusing visas for students who write scribbled registrations.

Sun Fali once recalled Wu Mi at the Southwest United University: wearing a gray cloth robe that has been washed white, with a cloth bag in one hand, a stick in the other, and a nightcap made of cotton gauze in winter.The first thing to do on the podium is to open the bag and take out the ink cartridge and two brushes, one red and one black.His English lecture notes are also written with a brush.The Chinese characters are teeny lower case, and the English ones are generally printed. If it is important, dots, wavy lines or straight lines are marked with red pen to show the difference.Its handouts are also "Bundlet Books", envelopes, shopping wrapping paper, and scraps cut from historical paper or raw-edged paper.

Wu Mi has frequent affairs in life, but she is extremely rigorous in academics and meticulous in teaching.When he was in Nanyue, the dormitory for professors was tight, so Wu Mi could only share a room with Shen Youding, Wen Yiduo, and Qian Mu.From Qian Mu's point of view, the other three were usually withdrawn and did not like to socialize.Every night, Wen Yiduo ignited a lamp on his seat and read "Chu Ci" silently. Every time he had new insights and discoveries, he would write a chapter.Wu Mi prepared lessons for tomorrow's class, copied notes and outlines, wrote them one by one, merged them, and added them. After writing, he outlined them with a red pen.Wu Mi's rigorous lesson preparation left a deep impression on Qian Mu.The next day, Wu Mi must be the first to get up, and went out alone. In the light of the morning light outdoors, she took out the items written for the lesson preparation last night and recited them over and over again.After everyone got up, Wu Mi went back to the dormitory.Qian Mu said with emotion: "Yu and Yu Seng have known each other for a long time, and I have heard other people's words and deeds from time to time, but I know him deeply, which is really outstanding."

Liu Zhaoji's "Mr. Wu Mi I Know" mentioned a "little thing".Once, "a young teacher lost his textbook for class and asked Mr. Wu Mi if he wanted to borrow it. Unexpectedly, it aroused severe criticism from Mr. Wu: 'How can a teacher lose a textbook (textbook)! It must be I found it, I must find it before class starts!' At night, the dormitory has turned off the lights and went to sleep. I heard the knock on the door in the back building, and I heard Mr. Wu asking loudly: "Did you find the textbook?" I also heard the impatient answer: "I found it!" Mr. Wu, don’t worry, I’m already asleep, so I won’t open the door.” I heard Mr. Wu say: “That’s good, the teacher can’t throw away the textbook, and don’t lose it next time!” Later, I heard the young teacher say, “ In fact, I didn’t find it at the time, and I lied because I was afraid of offending Mr. Wu and getting nervous again. Now that I think about it, this trivial matter reflects Mr. Wu’s seriousness and responsibility for the cause of education, and he will never change it throughout his life.”

Wu Mi was very popular with students when he was at Southwest Associated University, and his classroom atmosphere was also very active.On a whim, he would recite his own poems in class, and even his love poems to Mao Yanwen.He has a European and American style in his classes. The students recalled: "Mr.'s lectures are never based on the book, but are often of a rambling nature. He only specifies some reference books, and asks us to read them ourselves, put forward opinions, and write more book reports. In class, the teacher sometimes talks about things. The literati anecdotes are full of humor, which makes us laugh." When I was at Southwest Normal University, in an English test in a refresher class, in order to prevent students from guessing and memorizing the bad habits, Wu Mi asked the students to translate "Traveling in America" ​​written by him temporarily in class. The time is not limited. From 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., during the period, he personally delivered pastries and tea for the students to drink.He doesn't eat lunch himself, and has been accompanying the teacher to take the exam with the students.Wu Mi is an enthusiastic teacher, and responds to students' requests, such as answering questions and providing reference books, including financial help.