Chapter 15 71-75

Chapter 71: A letter to the 2007 graduates of the Chinese Department / Wen Rumin (1) A letter to the 2007 graduates of the Chinese Department (Wen Rumin) To all the 2007 undergraduate, master and doctoral graduates of the Chinese Department of Peking University: You are about to graduate. On behalf of all the teachers and students of the Chinese Department of Peking University, please allow me to warmly congratulate you on successfully completing your studies and entering the society. I wish you all a bright and happy future. Yesterday, my classmates invited me, Jiang Langlang, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Department, and some teachers to participate in our "disbandment meal". It will be a bit unpleasant.Every plant and tree in Yanyuan will evoke everyone's memories at this moment. Some of the best parts of your youth and life have been integrated with Peking University and the Chinese Department.Time passed quickly. We learned knowledge, explored the direction of life in this free and magical land, and gained so much sense of accomplishment and joy, including the sincere friendship and beautiful love. Of course, there were also setbacks and depression. All this will make you unforgettable.Yanyuan's youth journey will not only leave you with good memories, but also become a spiritual spring that constantly nourishes our lives.Peking University has already left a deep imprint on you. The identity of "Peking University people" will follow you all your life. Peking University and the Chinese Department of Peking University will always be your spiritual home.In this sense, we have not "disbanded", and we will always be a spiritual community that Peking University is proud of.

Some of you students will continue to study for graduate or doctoral students, and most of you will enter the society.Compared with school life, it is a completely different kind of life. No matter what occupation you are in, the role of students has changed, and you have to take responsibility for yourself and the society.Fortunately, you have already laid a relatively solid academic foundation, and with the spirit of Peking University as your foundation, I believe that you can display your talents in various jobs and give full play to the advantages of Peking University graduates.On the occasion of parting, I would like to give you some words of advice, some of which may be "old sayings", but even if it is out of the instinct of a teacher, I hope that my students will be more successful and more perfect.

Huge changes have taken place in society now, and the material productivity has increased rapidly driven by the market economy, but the value standards are somewhat chaotic, and there are many dirty and detrimental things in society.As a graduate of Peking University, you must be sober about this, have critical thinking and vision, and stick to idealism.Peking University graduates are not mediocre because they pursue spiritual freedom and have a sense of mission to be responsible to society and the country.Our country and nation are rising again, and there are many problems. Every citizen should have confidence and responsibility to solve the problems. In the face of some corruption in the society, everyone cannot complain but everyone participates.Graduates of Peking University should have the ambition to transform society, take a long-term view, make long-term plans, not empty talk, and start from themselves to transform and build Chinese society bit by bit.

The students of Peking University have outstanding advantages. They generally advocate individual development, have high spirits, and are good at independent thinking. These are very good qualities.We talk about sticking to our ideals, which naturally includes sticking to these good characters.However, Peking University students often appear "weird" and different in society because of their independent spirit. As the old principal Mr. Hu Shizhi said in his speech entitled "Preparation for Knowledge", "These characteristics may make you feel uncomfortable. popular and unpopular, and even shunned and rejected by most people in your society." I met some Peking University graduates who were very lofty in society, seeing the world as worthless, and being difficult to get along with anyone. His aloofness and willfulness, as Mr. Hu Shi said, will be "shunned and rejected" by others, and even livelihood may become a problem as a result.Even for the sake of personal development, after changing the status of a student, you can no longer have the same "willfulness" as when you were a student.Our ultimate goal is to transform the society and let the society understand. Therefore, I am afraid that when we first enter the society, we must have some "convergence" necessary for role transformation. To understand the society, we must understand history and national conditions with warmth and compassion, and understand all kinds of things. Different types of people and lifestyles, in this way, we can enter the state, and we can talk about how to transform society.If we are not satisfied with being an "angry youth" critic, then we must be good at uniting people, understanding people, and having the spirit of cooperation.The existence of any society may have its "rationality". Transforming society is a very difficult job, and sometimes we have to learn the necessary compromises, one step back and two steps forward.Of course, this kind of "compromise" is principled, and it is by no means exile ideals and stand aloof from the world.

Section 72: A letter to the 2007 graduates of the Chinese Department / Wen Rumin (2) College life is over, and you already have some professional background, but even graduate students and doctoral students are just laying the foundation and developing the habit of absorbing knowledge. Gradually cultivated in life experience.In any position, don't forget to keep learning.Because of contact with the society, we may find that any social and political issues are not as simple as we imagined when we were students. We will adjust our unrealistic way of thinking, stay away from the current nihilism that subverts everything, and the money worship that plagues human nature. You will no longer be satisfied with self-indulgent criticism, but will pay more attention to constructive opinions formed in thinking and exploration.Continuous learning can keep our thinking alive.No matter how busy the work is and how cumbersome life is, we must also keep a piece of our own spiritual garden.

When it comes to nihilism and money worship, and perhaps the vulgar atmosphere that gives rise to game life, it is prevalent among some young students today.There are indeed too many problems in the current school education, Peking University is not so "clean", we teachers also have responsibilities.You are all "experienced" in campus life. Peking University has been invaded by many vulgar and snobbish atmospheres over the years, and some unhealthy things may also affect you.It is often said that the school is influenced by the society, but in fact the school also affects the society. I hope that when you leave the campus, you can not only bring the influence of Peking University’s fine traditions, but also soberly bid farewell to those bad influences.Because you are about to become the backbone of independent and responsible society.

Finally, on behalf of the department, let me thank the students for their support to the work of the Chinese Department of Peking University over the years.Under relatively difficult conditions, the Chinese Department "keeps the integrity and innovates", and can make achievements in reform and development, which is inseparable from the participation of the students.I hope you can maintain close contact with the department after graduation, and the department will try its best to help and support you if necessary.The Chinese Department of Peking University will always be your spiritual home.

Once again, I wish the students always be optimistic and motivated, have a healthy body and mind, a successful career, and a beautiful life. June 24, 2007 Wen Rumin, director of the Chinese Department of Peking University, professor, doctoral supervisor, member of the Chinese Subject Steering Committee of the Ministry of Education, member of the National Philosophy and Social Science Planning Review Committee, mainly engaged in research and teaching of modern literature, literary criticism, comparative literature, and literary education.His major works include "The Evolution of Realism in New Literature", "History of Modern Chinese Literary Criticism", "Thirty Years of Modern Chinese Literature" (co-authored), "Literary Classroom", "Vision of Literary History", etc.

Chapter 73: Commitment, Independence, Freedom, Creation/Qian Liqun (1) Commitment, independence, freedom, creation (Qian Liqun) Speech at the Symposium Hosted by Peking University "We Press" and Publishing House Gathering of "Peking University People Forever" I came to the symposium today, and I also brought a book, "My Fathers and Peking University" co-edited by me and Yan Ruifang, all of which are old people in the history of Peking University—from Li Duan, Zhang Baixi, Lin Shu, Cai Yuanpei, Chen Duxiu, Li Dazhao, Liu Bannong, Qian Xuantong, etc. of the May Fourth generation—memory articles written by their descendants.I wrote in the preface: "This book is a gathering of eternal Beida people, a rare historical gathering." I think our symposium today is actually a gathering of "eternal Beida people". In "These People in the Republic of China", there are many people from Peking University. Open the book, and you will see in turn: Li Funing, Feng Youlan, Zhao Yuanren, Ye Qisun, Ding Wenjiang, Fu Ying, Jiang Menglin, Ma Yinchu, Fu Sinian, Wang Yao, Jin Yuelin, Chen Yi, Ding Xilin, Yang Hui, Wu Xinghua, Cao Jinghua...all of them are "Beida souls". According to the author's description, they have passed through the tunnel of time and come among us.The author of the book, Xu Baike, is also a native of Peking University: he studied at the Chinese Department of Peking University from 1996 to 2003.I think, without the edification and influence of the spirit of Peking University, he would not be able to write this book.The students present at the meeting today are all current students of Peking University, and I myself am a retired professor of Peking University.Those of us from Peking University gather together to talk about this book, those people in the Republic of China, and the predecessors of Peking University. In my opinion, we are "seeking the real voice of Peking University."

Why "seek"?Because of these "real Peking University voices", we have rarely heard them, and were drowned out by many noisy voices, and slowly, they were forgotten.When I read this book, the most thrilling thing is that Zhou Yichun, the old principal who formulated the school motto of Tsinghua University, is almost unknown in today's Tsinghua University.Students here may also wish to ask themselves: among the presidents of Peking University, you may know Cai Yuanpei and Ma Yinchu, but do you know the president Jiang Menglin who calls himself "Peking University Meritorious Dog"?If you are a student of the Department of Spanish, do you know Professor Wu Xinghua, a "genius" poet who translated Dante and Shakespeare?You are a student of the Chinese Department, you may know the names of Wu Zuxiang, Lin Geng, and Wang Yao from your teachers, but do you know why the teachers are so fascinated by these old gentlemen?I remember that at the 10th anniversary of the establishment of "Our Society", I asked the students such a question: "Do you know the land of Peking University under your feet?" The spirit, tradition, and cognition of the piece of land are unfamiliar, and you may even feel alienated emotionally and psychologically. Then, you only have a student status at Peking University, and you will not feel like a "Peking University native". He is "Forever Beida People". (all active)

Reminds me of ten years ago In fact, as early as ten years ago, there was such an appeal and effort to "seek the true voice of Peking University". In 1997, it was the year before the centennial celebration of Peking University.The school has established many new student clubs, including "our club": I checked your club history, and it was established on May 1, 1997. At the orientation meeting in October, I also had the same experience as today a speech.There are also "Current Affairs Society", "Hundred Years Together" and so on that have been established successively.I still have a copy of the November 1997 trial issue of "Jiji" magazine run by Jiji Agency. The title of its editorial department's issue is "Looking for the True Voice of Peking University"——Later, I sent it to my editor-in-chief In the book "Approaching Peking University" (published by Sichuan People's Publishing House in 2000), it did not arouse any response, but in my opinion, it should be an important document in the history of Peking University.Because it conveyed the aspirations of Peking University students in the mid-to-late 1990s.Let me read a paragraph for everyone: "All the big construction projects seem to indicate that Peking University is thriving. But I don't feel a little fresh air, only a feeling of depression, because there are only training and recruitment advertisements on the triangle, because the Democracy Lawn is just There are couples sitting and embracing each other, because there are only numb faces showing English words and calculus in the library, ideals and sense of responsibility have been absent in our minds. I keep asking myself: I Is it at Peking University? Why can’t I hear the shouts of the May Fourth Movement, why can’t I see the guidance of the Triangle Land, why can’t I see the passionate young people, why can’t I feel the responsibility of worrying about the world... I lost my spirit Peking University is like a giant whose spine has been taken out. His muscles are constantly developing, but he can't stand up." (Applause) The article concludes by stating that it is necessary to "maintain the soul of Peking University with a high-spirited style" and "for Peking University, For China, prop up an idealistic sky, let you hear the voice of True Peking University, and let you feel the spirit of True Peking University that has inspired generations of young people over the years." (applaud) Chapter 74: Commitment, Independence, Freedom, Creation/Qian Liqun (2) This is exactly the question that many Peking University people are thinking about in the face of the 100th anniversary.Before that, on October 25, 1996, I gave a speech entitled "The Zhou Brothers and the Spirit of Peking University" to the freshmen of the school.At the beginning of the speech, I reminded everyone: "The year after next will be the 100th anniversary of the founding of Peking University. It is the greatest happiness in your life for the current first and second graders to catch up with this grand ceremony." --By the way, Next year, 2008, will be the 110th anniversary of Peking University. The students here should be very lucky to be able to catch up with this festival.I went on to say: "So, everyone is thinking: Where can I find the traditions of Peking University? I remember that when the 90th anniversary of Peking University was celebrated, Professor Wang Yao from the Chinese Department (he was also my tutor) was still alive at that time. He wrote An article, which quoted a passage from President Jiang Menglin: A university has three factions, one is the president, the other is the professor, and the other is the student... That is to say, the activities of the president, teachers and students in a specific historical time and space constitute the The so-called campus culture, a school’s traditions are naturally mainly reflected in these three types of people. For example, the May 4th New Culture Movement was dominated by Peking University professors, the May 4th Patriotic Student Movement was dominated by Peking University students, and President Cai Yuanpei’s The principle of freedom of thought and the principle of inclusiveness have played a role in protecting and promoting the activities of teachers and students: the efforts in these three aspects constitute the May Fourth tradition of Peking University. If we make a specific analysis, we can also find that in these three categories Among the people, the students are mobile, that is, what people usually say is the Flying Pigeon brand (laughs); as for the principal, according to our country's system, it is ordered by the competent department and will change with the change of the political situation; only teachers , Professors are permanent cards, relatively stable, consistent for several years, ten years, decades (laughs). In this sense, we can say that the tradition of a school is mainly reflected in teachers and professors, and Mostly it is passed on from generation to generation by them".Therefore, "Students who want to understand and inherit the tradition of Peking University, I suggest that you start with this department and major, and investigate, over the past century, which academics and personalities are top-notch, or have distinctive characteristics in a certain aspect." With the professors who contributed, what representative works or lectures have they published? You can also learn more about the life, thoughts, character, and spiritual outlook of these professors through memoirs, biographies, etc. In this way, students can touch and feel The academic traditions and spiritual traditions of Peking University (this department, this major) are vivid and vivid." Later, around the centennial celebration of Peking University, some teachers and students initiated a folk commemorative activity centered on "recognizing the old principal, inheriting and carrying forward the spiritual tradition of Peking University initiated by Mr. Cai Yuanpei". In addition, a series of lectures and seminars were held, and finally the book "Eternity in the Campus Landscape--Cai Yuanpei in My Mind" was published (Sichuan People's Publishing House, published in 2000), which produced a lot of influence both inside and outside the school. The great impact, among the participants, has left an unforgettable memory for life. Chapter 75: Commitment, Independence, Freedom, Creation/Qian Liqun (3) Now, ten years later, and one year before the 110th anniversary of Peking University, I read this book written by the students of that year, recreating the old principals, old professors, and intellectuals of that generation. There are indeed many emotions.This is another historical opportunity. Let us once again touch and feel the flesh and blood of Peking University, as well as the academic and spiritual traditions of the entire Chinese intellectual circle through the vivid and emotional historical narration in this book, and listen to them again. The "true voice" of Peking University and Chinese intellectuals that we have seldom heard in recent years, so that we can face ourselves and the reality of Peking University and Chinese intellectuals more clearly and truly. --This is probably the meaning and value of publishing this book in my opinion. The above is my "opening remarks". (applaud) Why "not far" and "far apart"? But when we read this book today, we cannot but feel helpless and heavy.A passage on the back cover of the book resonated strongly with me: "There was such a time, there was such a group of people. They thought like that, lived like that. They are not far away from us today, but they guarded, The spirit, tradition, and style that we care about and embody are far away from us. Reading them, we feel as if we have passed away; touching history, we are often amazed." My question is why "they are actually very close to us in time", but we feel that they are "far away from us"? --However, is it really far?Can we shorten this distance, from "far" to "near"? What we are facing is the relationship between contemporary Beida people in real life and Beida people in history.Speaking of this, I suddenly thought, assuming that these old Peking University people really come here to participate in the party today, do the college students and graduate students here have a common topic with these seniors?What is this common topic? (all active) This is what I want to discuss with you today. Where is "our" problem? So, I noticed the reaction of a contemporary college student mentioned in the book. He said: "We free and useless souls will not respond to those old gentlemen." This is very frank and thought-provoking.Therefore, I would like to pull our discussion aside and say some "digressions".I recalled last year that the Youth League School of Peking University held a "Born in the 1980s" essay competition.The "born in the 1980s" mentioned here is actually "us" - a self-description and naming of contemporary college students, which is what people usually call "post-80s".The essay group asked me to be the chief judge and also to give a concluding speech. I really prepared a speech on "How to view the generation born in the 1980s".But then he suddenly informed me that the award ceremony will not be held, and I don't need to talk about it, which made me a little confused.Today I will talk about the main content of the speech I originally prepared here, which can be regarded as a supplement.The first thing I talked about was a figure provided by the "China Statistical Yearbook": in the ten years from 1980 to 1989, about 204 million people were born in China. , this is indeed a group that cannot be ignored. (The audience is active) And the representatives among you, like Yao Ming, Liu Xiang, and Lang Lang, are all regarded by the world as symbols of China's image. (Laughter, applause) The "post-80s" generation is already so important, but their evaluation is very controversial.According to a survey conducted by China Youth Daily, the "pre-80s" generations generally do not think highly of this generation, while the "post-80s" have a good self-evaluation (laughs), which forms a huge contrast.