Today, when handwritten letters are becoming more and more rare, writings related to letters are becoming more and more valuable. Compared with the fast pace of society, letters are slow and logical, to write, to wait, to read, to taste, although it is full of personality, but it needs to be carried forward step by step in an orderly manner, otherwise it is abrupt to the heart and emotions of the letter writer. Therefore, spying into the inner world of letter writers and recipients and appreciating their spiritual temperament is the most far-reaching significance of reading "The Glory of Literature: The Correspondence between Chen Zhongzhong, Jia Pingwa, Zou Zhi'an and Li He" (hereinafter referred to as "The Glory of Literature").
The first is honesty. When talking about whether to submit novellas or short stories to Feitian, Chen Zhongzhong wrote in a letter to Li He on January 23, 1984: "You probably know my situation, the tiger is not enough, and there is too much inferiority, and I never dare to dare to say big words, this is no way, the only point, I am very affectionate, and you are a strong friend I respect, I can't make it up for you." "As the path of writing becomes more and more open and the reputation of writing becomes more prominent, honesty will gradually shrink to a place of compulsion. Such a change is not the writer's intention, but is related to the change in the environment in which he lives. Looking at the past from now on, the honesty of the beginning is really very precious.
Chen Zhongzhong participated in the cultural activity of "Searching for Neighbors of Banpo People". Photo taken in November 2008
In a letter to Li He on September 24, 1977, Jia Pingwa said: "Your opinion is very good, I have made changes, I don't know if it is possible, after you see it, if you still want to modify, then write it, I am not bothered to delete and change." In the next paragraph, Mr. Jia continued: "Thank you very much for your concern for me, although I often write some small articles, but I am really naïve in all aspects, and I sincerely hope that you will give more guidance in the future and make greater progress for yourself." At this time, Jia Pingwo was in his twenties and youth, full of endless strength and passion. There is clearly a sense of pride in this, but it is also very modest, and it knows that there is a clear deficiency. Shi Pengzhao's comments accurately captured the enthusiasm of young Jia Pingwa's writing. "At the beginning of his writing, he did not have a strong desire to become famous, but he just wanted to publish, and he wanted to make the words he wrote down in pencil. Although the manuscript was sent out like a snowflake, the rejection letter also flew like a snowflake. ”
Accompanied by honesty is self-profiling, not afraid to inform friends of their weaknesses, and the gains and losses of writing, advances and retreats, are all revealed in the pen. Writing a letter is a kind of talk, and the outpouring stems from trust or even dependence. Writing exchanges based on emotions can only last the fate between people.
Ba Jin is grateful to Ye Shengtao for his wisdom to publish "Annihilation", Cao Yu thanks Ba Jin for his appreciation of "Thunderstorm", Xu Zhimo's love for Shen Congwen's works, and Wei Junyi's attention to Feng Jicai's novels are all fragments worth looking back on in the writing exchanges, and the editor's encouragement and care have made the young author feel unforgettable and still enjoyed by people. The entire history of modern and contemporary literature can be regarded as a history of communication between editors and writers. Behind the literary magazine or newspaper that has been providing a spiritual feast for readers for many years, there must be a good story of mutual support and mutual fulfillment between authors and editors. The trust between editors and authors never stops at the work, and it is more about character that closely ties each other to each other and even become like-minded people. Trust, admiration, and cherishing each other's character are the fundamental reasons for the flower of friendship to bloom and not wither.
Cao Yu reads books after work. Photographed in 1979
This is the biggest difference between the 1979 shooting and the current fast-paced means of communication, such as mailbox and WeChat, in terms of temperature. It is the carrier of handwritten Chinese characters, the basis for emotional circulation, and the bridge for the transmission of heartfelt voices. Because I want to be fast, I can't write a letter. Because of the lack of heart, I can't believe it. Letters are a style that does not deceive or deceive, and those who are honest and insufficient are not qualified to write. This kind of understanding is not only wishful thinking, even with a little naïve, especially in the worldly situation. However, it is precisely in such a social atmosphere that when a person is willing to solemnly write a letter for something, a certain friendship, his honesty should not be doubted.
Through this particular collection of letters, the light of literature emanates from between the pages. "Let more people feel the golden age of literature in the 1980s, because at that time, whether it was Chen Zhongzhong, Jia Pingwa or Zou Zhi'an, they had just knocked on the door of the literary world, and it was their unremitting persistence in the sacred cause of literature that left the richest spiritual food of this era."
The correspondence that lasted for many years was a testament to literary splendor. At that time, the influence of literature was enormous, and the charm of literature was rarely comparable to others. Literature can ignite the light of a person's life, can change the trajectory of a person's destiny, and can make some people who have never known each other resonate with each other, deeply relate to each other, and even become lifelong friends. The narrative of "loving literature" or "liking to write" in the personal profile is an overflow of happiness in the heart. Nowadays, literature does not have to become a prominent label for people, or a boast when introducing themselves, but quietly infiltrates people's hearts through one work after another and a good book.
Shi Pengzhao's writing is a distant reflection and respect for his predecessors, and it is also a reflection on the current situation of literature. After reflection, he wants to clearly tell the reader that decades ago there was such a group of people who can be regarded as living for literature, literature is the reason, value, and meaning of their survival, and literature breathes with them and shares a common destiny. He also wanted to tell readers that the light of life they had gained from literature still shines brightly today, influencing generations of readers.
The Glory of Literature: Correspondence between Chen Zhongzhong, Jia Pingwa, Zou Zhi'an and Li He
Shi Pengzhao, Guangxi Normal University Press