A sentence from the standard-bearer that expresses the true meaning of literary creation?
Have you ever changed yourself to please others? In the world of literary creation, the question seems even more acute.
Imagine a standard-bearer in military uniform, holding "Sunny Day", excitedly breaking into the writer Haoran's study. His eyes flashed with excitement and admiration, as if he had just finished reading a stunning masterpiece.
"Comrade Haoran, your "Sunny Day" is simply amazing! "But I've heard that some people don't buy it, what do you think?" ＂
Haoran raised his head, the corners of his mouth rose slightly, and said lightly: "Whether they appreciate you or not, it doesn't matter at all!" ＂
Wow! Does that sound a bit crazy? But savoring it makes people think deeply.
"Sunny Day": A controversial "masterpiece"
"Sunny Day" is Haoran's masterpiece, created in 1964. As soon as this book came out, it caused an uproar in the literary world.
Some say that it is a "masterpiece" that reflects rural life and creates lifelike characters. It has also been criticized for being too idealistic and not revealing the contradictions in the countryside in depth.
But there's no denying that the book's impact is staggering. It is said to have a circulation of more than 5 million copies, and it has even been translated and published in Japan. That's quite an achievement at the time!
Behind success often lies controversy. In the face of mixed reviews, Haoran seems to have chosen a "do my own thing" attitude.
This reminds people of Mr. Lu Xun's famous words: "I have never been afraid to speculate on the Chinese with the worst malice, but I did not expect or believe that it would be so cruel." "Although the styles of the two writers are very different, they both stick to their creative ideas and do not follow the crowd.
The Creator's Dilemma: Persistence or Pandering?
So the question is: as a creator, how should you look at the evaluation of the outside world? Is it really possible to be completely indifferent to what others think?
That's not a good question to answer. Any artistic creation, including literature, is a dialogue between the author and the reader. Completely ignoring the reader's feelings can lead to the loss of life in the work. If you care too much about the evaluation of others, you may lose the original intention of creation.
As the ancients said, "Don't be happy with things, don't be sad about yourself", creators need to find a balance between insisting on themselves and listening to others. Haoran's attitude may give us a revelation: the core of creation is to express oneself, not to please others.
Nor can we ignore the political significance of Sunny Days in a specific historical context. In 1974, the novel was adapted into a film. In that particular era, literary and artistic works were often endowed with meanings that went beyond literature itself.
This also reminds us that when evaluating a work, we cannot detach ourselves from the context of the times in which it is located. Each era has its own special context and requirements, and how creators find their place in it is an eternal topic.
So, if Haoran lived in the present, what would he do in the face of the "fast food culture" of the Internet age? Do you stick to your own creative philosophy, or do you cater to the needs of the market? I'm afraid every contemporary creator is thinking about this question.
The Internet Age: A New Challenge for Creators
When it comes to the Internet era, do you immediately think of the term "traffic is king"? Yes, this is indeed an era of information explosion.
Creators face unprecedented challenges. On the one hand, there is a huge amount of information and fast-changing hot spots, and on the other hand, the reader's increasingly shortened attention span.
In such an environment, many people choose the creative method of "rubbing the heat". Is this really a long-term solution?
Think about it, if Haoran lived today, would he adapt "Sunny Day" into a series of short videos of "Rural Love Story" in order to win attention?
Adhere to the original intention: the soul of literary creation
In fact, truly excellent works can often transcend the limitations of the times and become eternal classics.
Just like "Sunny Day", although it was created more than half a century ago, it still makes us think when we read it today. Isn't that the beauty of literature?
Some people say that today's readers only like "cool texts" and are not willing to read works with depth. Is that really the case?
Don't forget, isn't hardcore science fiction novels like "The Three-Body Problem" also attracted countless fans in recent years? Doesn't this mean that as long as the content is good enough, there will always be people who will appreciate it?
Creator's Choice: Be Yourself or Cater to the Market?
So, when we hear the phrase "it doesn't matter if they appreciate you or not, it doesn't matter at all", there may be a new understanding.
It's not encouraging us to ignore our readers, but it's reminding us that what really matters is to stay true to the original intention of the creation and tell each story well.
As Chen Kaige, the director of "Changjin Lake", said: "We are not here to cater to the audience, but to impress the audience." What a point!
Of course, this does not mean that we can completely ignore market demand. After all, creation is also about eating.
The key is to find the right balance. Without losing oneself, it can resonate with the reader. Easier said than done!
So the question is: in this fast-paced era, how can we stick to our creative ideas without being eliminated by the market?
This question,