This article analyzes the stages of development of children’s literature in China across different periods, the factors influencing it, and the contribution and attitude of the renowned Chinese writer Xie Bing Xin towards this literary field.
Keywords: Chinese children’s literature, May Fourth Movement, Western theories, Bing Xin.
Chinese literature has a history spanning nearly three thousand years. Despite its deep-rooted traditions, children’s literature in China as an independent literary genre has only about a century-long history. Children’s literature plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s character, instilling moral values, nurturing aesthetic perception, and developing cognitive abilities. The primary purpose of books dedicated to children is to enhance their intellectual growth.
Chinese children’s literature, which emerged during the Qing Dynasty, evolved according to historical and social developments. The introduction of Western European children’s literature through translations, the advancement of book publishing, and the emergence of periodicals for children marked the initial steps towards establishing a structured children’s literature in China. The early 20th century saw a flourishing of literary works influenced by humanist ideas. The influx of Western theories and the May Fourth Movement led to a new societal perspective on children’s literature, fostering its rapid development. However, this rise was short-lived.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the Communist Party gained full control over all forms of art, including children’s literature, which became a tool for communist education. Interactions with Soviet literature played a significant role in shaping Chinese children’s literature, leading to the translation of numerous Russian literary works into Chinese. Towards the late 20th century, the “New Wave” movement revitalized humanist ideas, introduced new literary theories and trends, and brought forth emerging writers [4]. Today, numerous literary works, children’s magazines, and newspapers are published in China, with ongoing efforts to improve their quality and literary value.
The Formation of Chinese Children’s Literature in the First Half of the 20th Century. Children’s literature in China from the May Fourth Movement in 1919 until the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 is regarded as modern children’s literature, and its emergence and development are closely linked to prominent modern writers. The May Fourth Movement, an anti-imperialist movement that began on May 4, 1919, accelerated societal transformation in China. Its main goal was to replace the classical literary language (wenyan) with a new vernacular language (baihua) and to create a new democratic literature and culture. Lu Xun played a key role in this movement [3]. His belief that “children are the future of the nation” resonated widely. According to him, the future is determined by the youth, and their upbringing and education should receive special attention. He attributed China’s lag behind the West to the lack of interest in science and technology among the general population. Consequently, he initially focused on translating science fiction, including works like Jules Verne’s From the Earth to the Moon and Journey to the Center of the Earth [6].
Lu Xun’s later contributions to children’s literature reflected a shift towards romantic realism. He emphasized that children were China’s only hope and that a new literature free from Confucian traditions was necessary. Thanks to the efforts of Lu Xun and other devoted writers and translators, Chinese readers gained access to works by Hans Christian Andersen, the Brothers Grimm, Oscar Wilde, Alexander Pushkin, and many other foreign authors [2].
The issue of how to develop Chinese children’s literature remains significant not only in literary criticism but also in the works of child psychologists and educators. Many renowned writers in the early 20th century made significant contributions to the birth and evolution of Chinese children’s literature. Among them, Xie Bing Xin stands out as a distinguished figure of modern Chinese literature and a patriotic intellectual dedicated to serving the people through her prolific works.
Xie Bing Xin (real name Xie Wan In) entered the literary scene during the 1919 anti-imperialist movement [5]. Her early stories demonstrated her ability to delve into children’s inner worlds, effectively convey experiences, and express her thoughts clearly. The cheerful, light tone, fresh perception, and affection towards young protagonists left a deep impression on readers. Her contemporaries praised her ability to address profound emotions and respond to potential questions from young readers. These stories were crafted for both young and older audiences. From 1923 to 1926, Xie Bing Xin studied abroad and wrote stories about her travels to various countries for children. These stories were included in the Chenbao newspaper’s series Letters to Young Readers. Addressing children directly in her letters was no coincidence. Through them, she shared her experiences of life abroad, her longing for her homeland, and her deep emotional connections with her family. In addition to describing what she saw, she dedicated many pages to expressing her emotions. These writings reflected the solitude of a young girl separated from her homeland and her perspective on the Western world. According to Xie Bing Xin, a children’s writer must observe the world through the eyes of children, experience everything as they do, and express thoughts in a way that resonates with them. Only then can an author create literature that is not only comprehensible but also endearing to young readers.
Children’s Literature in the 1930s in Bing Xin’s View. During the 1930s, as social revolutions gained momentum in China, attitudes toward children in society underwent significant changes. Xie Bing Xin’s perspective on children’s literature also evolved. While her earlier works simply reflected her love for children, her later writings increasingly connected children’s education with the fate of the nation. She paid greater attention to cultivating moral virtues in children and emphasized patriotic values [1].
Bing Xin’s attitude towards children’s literature in the 1960–70s. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the people became the masters of the nation, and society witnessed a period of rapid growth. During this time, Xie Bing Xin’s passion for writing flourished, and she created numerous works for children. Her views on children in this period remained consistent with those of the 1930s, as she continued to emphasize the importance of instilling patriotism in children. However, during the Cultural Revolution, China experienced severe social unrest, and both the Party and the nation suffered immense losses over a decade. Xie Bing Xin witnessed how these events negatively affected the morality of children and adolescents [7]. This made her realize the critical role that objective conditions play in shaping people’s spiritual lives. Driven by a strong sense of responsibility, she sought to adjust her educational principles and create works that would guide and educate China’s future generations.
The May Fourth Movement of 1919, the introduction of Western ideas, and the translation of foreign literature provided a significant impetus for the development of children’s literature as an independent literary genre in China. These influences paved the way for the emergence of writers who made substantial contributions to this field. Among them, Xie Bing Xin occupies a notable place. Her unwavering commitment to the principle that “a nation must steadfastly strengthen its moral foundation” led her to produce outstanding works that have become foundational to modern Chinese children’s literature, enriching it with her prolific legacy.
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