Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 408: The author is dead?
After the speech, Zhang Chao stayed in Hong Kong for only two days. He gave two lectures to Chinese department students of Lingnan University and Hong Kong University respectively, and then returned to Yenching.

Many of his friends in Hong Kong urged him to take advantage of the low housing prices in Hong Kong to buy "Mid-Levels Luxury House" and "Happy Valley Garden", but Zhang Chao refused.

Although he knew that housing prices in Hong Kong would see a wave of price increases in the next few years, on the one hand, it was insignificant compared to the rising housing prices in the mainland; on the other hand, he did not come here often, so it would be troublesome to leave the house vacant or rent it out.

If you have that much spare money, you might as well buy a few more houses in neighboring Shenzhen.

However, this rejection looked different in the eyes of others - it was Zhang Chao's last act of kindness towards those "subdivided flat writers" in Hong Kong, for fear that buying a big house would irritate them.

When he returned to Yanjing, it was already early August. The atmosphere in the whole city had completely changed. It was like steamed buns in a steamer, so noisy and lively, and even hotter than the midday sun.

The reason is simple: the 29th Olympic Games is about to be held.

As a sporting event that the Chinese people have been looking forward to for decades, the nationwide attention has been unprecedented and even unparalleled. The entire Yanjing has also changed its appearance as a result, and is very different from when Zhang Chao first arrived in 2004.

When driving on the road, you can see the fluttering five-ring flags and Fuwa logo everywhere; the Bird's Nest Stadium and the Water Cube Swimming Pool have become new landmarks, and their sci-fi-like shapes will catch your eye at any time.

Zhang Chao did buy tickets for a few games, but they were all basketball games. This year's Dream Team was still very interesting, and the Chinese men's basketball team once again entered the quarterfinals...

Shh, you can't tell this to anyone.

[Tide Culture] Others did not love basketball as much as he did, but they all bought tickets for the 110-meter hurdles just to watch Liu Xiang defend his Olympic title.

Zhang Chao could only refuse amidst everyone's puzzled gazes. None of them noticed that Zhang Chao's expression was filled with pity and regret...

However, before the Olympics began, he still had one important thing to do, which was to accept the invitation of October magazine and talk to the editors about the novel Painted Skin.

"Painted Skin" has been in the hands of "October" magazine for more than a week, and there is definitely no problem with publishing it. However, given that it has brought so many myths and confusions to the editors, there are huge differences in interpretation of it, which even the editor-in-chief Wang Zhanjun cannot completely bridge.

This is still rare within a literary magazine, so everyone asked Wang Zhanjun to come forward and let Zhang Chao talk about the creative process and ideas before the official publication in September.

Wang Zhanjun was a little nervous at first, not knowing whether Zhang Chao would accept his invitation - after all, his phone call to request an article was rejected.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Chao agreed so readily this time.

It was Saturday morning, a day off, but almost all the editors of October came to the office early, looking forward to Zhang Chao's arrival.

At 10 o'clock, Zhang Chao appeared in the editorial office of October magazine on time, wearing a sports suit, sweating all over, and carrying a net bag with a basketball in it. It was obvious that he had just come from the court.

Zhang Chao came in with Wang Zhanjun, and immediately saw Xu Changchang with a red face, and said with a smile: "You are 'Xu Changchang', right? I originally wanted to leave "Painted Skin" to "Youth", but when I saw your name in the letter of invitation, I thought it was a wonderful coincidence, so I just gave it to "October".

At that time, I had just finished checking the manuscript. If it was ten minutes later, it would have been sent to "Youth". If this were put in a novel, it would be a coincidence that couldn't be more cliché - but novels need to pay attention to logic, but reality does not. "

Wang Zhanjun also smiled and said, "This is 'there is no coincidence in the world'."

Xu Changchang blushed and said hesitantly: "I told you, it's a coincidence. - Thank you for your trust in me!"

Zhang Chao nodded, indicating that you're welcome, and then came to the conference room surrounded by everyone.

The table in the conference room was already filled with fruits and vegetables, it was like a "tea party". Zhang Chao declined the request to sit in the main seat and sat down in a random seat.

"Tell me, what do you think are the problems with "Painted Skin"? " Zhang Chao asked with a smile.

The editors looked at each other. Although they had countless questions in their minds, they became hesitant when Zhang Chao sat in front of them.

There is a saying in the literary theory community that "the author is dead", which essentially means that after a work is created, the right to interpret it does not belong entirely to, or even not at all to, the author, but is instead handed over to the readers.

Every editor here is at least an "elite reader", and some are even writers themselves. Although they are confused about "Painted Skin", they have more insights after all, and they are also afraid that Zhang Chao will deny their understanding as soon as he opens his mouth.

Considering Zhang Chao's habitual eloquence...then the question becomes who should start first.

Wang Zhanjun was no longer in a hurry at this time. He leisurely blew away the foam in the teacup, took a sip of hot tea, and without even raising his eyes, completely giving the stage to the young people.

Seeing that the seniors were all in strange silence, Xu Changchang mustered up his courage and asked first: "Teacher Zhang Chao..., I want to ask you how you conceived the role of "Xu Changchang"? "

Zhang Chao did not answer directly, but asked: "What do you think of this role?"

Xu Changchang's eyes flashed with hesitation at first, but she quickly said, "When I read it for the first time, I felt that she was materialistic, vain, and cunning. She is a relatively symbolic character, representing the collection of desires in the 'future' you envision."

Zhang Chao nodded slightly, motioning Xu Changchang to continue.

Xu Changchang paused and said, "But after reading it twice, I have a completely different opinion - I think she has a very strong vitality, and her ostentatious desires and vanity are just a disguise on her -

In essence, "Xu Changchang" wants to accumulate wealth in an almost cruel way and realize his desire to cross social classes.

She has nothing, she is not pretty, she has no talent, she can't run a business, and she doesn't even have an education. According to the current social rules, she has almost no chance of turning over.

But in "Painted Skin", she was able to take advantage of the "opportunities" of the times, changing her appearance and figure in the online world, and even "possessing" talents, thus achieving this goal.

When I saw that she didn't receive any 'punishment' in the end, and that she was able to continue to be an 'anchor' after just returning some money, and that she was even becoming more and more popular, I actually...actually..." Xu Changchang didn't continue, but Zhang Chao spoke for her: "I was actually a little touched, or even relieved?"

Xu Changchang blushed, nodded repeatedly, and continued: "As a master of literature and a literary editor, I know that it is superficial to use 'good' or 'bad' to evaluate the characters in a complex novel.

But I still wonder, why did you create such a "Xu Changchang"? She has some familiar qualities that I have seen before, but I can't grasp them for the time being. She has a kind of... chaotic, yet vivid vitality that makes me pay attention to her. "

As a female editor, Xu Changchang naturally pays special attention to the female characters in novels, so she asked this question.

Zhang Chao listened to Xu Changchang's question quietly, and without thinking for too long, he gave a straightforward answer that surprised everyone: "Your feeling is correct. To some extent, I wrote "Xu Changchang" as "Madame Bovary."

Zhang Chao's words struck Xu Changchang's mind like thunder, making her reason buzz, but soon the image of "Xu Changchang" and "Madame Bovary" gradually merged into one in her mind.

Madame Bovary is an immortal work by Flaubert, a French novelist in the 19th century.

The story of the novel itself is not complicated: Emma, ​​a farm girl who received an aristocratic education, looked down on her husband Bovary, a township doctor, and dreamed of a legendary love; but her two affairs not only failed to bring her happiness, but made her the target of exploitation by loan sharks; in the end, she was piled with debts and had no way out, so she had to commit suicide by taking poison.

This story may seem a bit "cliché" today, and even a bit derogatory to women, but when it was written in 1857, it was a groundbreaking work in the history of French literature.

Through "Madame Bovary", readers have for the first time a complete, profound and delicate perception of the surging emotions and tragic fate of a middle-aged woman who seems mediocre, boring, indulges in fantasy and has no control over her life - even if in the eyes of most people, everything is "caused" by her own doing.

Xu Changchang murmured, "You mean, whether it's Emma Bovary or Xu Changchang, because of certain elements of the times, their vision has transcended the constraints of their own class and they pursue an unrealistic dream...

No, it was unrealistic for Emma Bovary, but Xu Changchang succeeded. She used the money she earned from live streaming to have plastic surgery, and finally achieved the unity of the inside and outside in front of the camera and behind the camera. "

Zhang Chao nodded in agreement and said, "You are right. Emma Bovary's tragedy stems from her indulgence in romantic fantasies. She has been reading chivalric novels and romantic poems since she was a child, and she sees marriage as a way to escape from her mediocre life.

The background of this tragedy is that in the first half of the 19th century, French society gradually industrialized and popularized education, allowing many rural women to read books. Through reading, they have insights and ambitions far beyond their own class.

But they only know that 'romantic love and life' is beautiful, but they don't know the secrets behind it. When they know that they have to use materials that they can't afford to support it, their real life begins to collapse..."

Zhang Chao stopped talking here. Although he was the protagonist today, he wanted to listen to the opinions of these people on Painted Skin. Many of them were younger than Xu Zidong and were more sensitive to the changes in the pulse of the times.

Sure enough, a male editor who looked to be in his 30s took over the conversation. He first introduced himself: "My name is Chen Jie, and I have worked at October for 10 years. Let me tell you my opinion.

Actually, when you mentioned "Madame Bovary" just now, I felt a little enlightened. "Xu Changchang" and "Madame Bovary" have strong similarities in their core characteristics.

They all internalize certain material or spiritual symbols bestowed on women by society as part of their self-worth, and through their own and others' excessive consumption, they construct a bubble-like false world.

Emma's tragedy is that she has never been able to distinguish between literary fantasy and reality, while Xu Changchang's dilemma is that she is clearly aware of her hypocrisy but has to maintain this split to make a living.

This may also be the similarity between you and Flaubert in your creative motivation, which is to try to capture the moments of an accelerating era through literature, and to see how the struggles and compromises, sincerity and hypocrisy, freedom and alienation of individuals in the torrent are intertwined. "

At this time, another female editor also spoke up. She was so immersed in the discussion that she did not introduce herself, but went straight to the point: "Xiao Chen said it well, Xiao Xu also said it well, and with your explanation and supplement, Zhang Chao, I think I should also talk about my opinion.

First of all, the character of "Xu Changchang" is not simply treated as "good" or "bad", which has an unexpected effect. The breakthrough of "Madame Bovary" lies in the refusal to judge Emma with traditional morality.

He not only exposes her vanity and stupidity, but also sympathizes with her efforts to resist mediocrity. Emma's death is not simply "what she deserves", but the result of being crushed by 19th century French society. As James Wood said, "Flaubert makes readers feel both the pity and respectability of Emma."

Xu Changchang was not punished for her deception, but became "more and more popular". This ending is not a tacit approval of moral decline, but an exposure of the nihilism of values ​​in what you think is the coming Internet era.

When the standard of "truth" can be constantly changed through technical means, and when "emotion" can be quantified by reward data, the traditional boundaries between good and evil become blurred. Xu Changchang's "success" just proves the absurdity of society.

Her hypocrisy is not a personal flaw, but an inevitable product of the operation of the entire era. So it is meaningless to make "Xu Changchang" a "bad guy". What should be condemned is the era you imagined.

Oh, by the way, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Yang Ying, and I’m your schoolmate. I’m 20 years older than you.”

Zhang Chao quickly stood up and shook hands with Yang Ying, saying, "Hello, Senior Sister! But which school are you from…"

Yang Ying was stunned for a moment, then she remembered that Zhang Chao had studied at both Yan University and Yan Normal University, then she smiled and said, "I am from the Chinese Department of Yan Normal University."

After exchanging pleasantries, the two returned to their seats. Xu Changchang looked at Zhang Chao, who was smiling but not saying anything, and for some reason he became a little nervous, so he asked, "What do you think..."

Zhang Chao waved his hand slightly at this time and said, "It's better not to call me 'you'. It's awkward. You or other teachers are actually older than me, so just call me 'you'. Otherwise, just call me 'Xiao Zhang'."

Xu Changchang blushed again, but she also heard that there was no anger or sarcasm in Zhang Chao's tone, so she didn't take it to heart.

Zhang Chao looked around at everyone and said with a smile: "Although people always say 'the author is dead', now that I have opened the lid of the coffin, I can't help but complain a little. I hope you can forgive me."

Seriously? The editors sat up straighter, as if the 20-something-year-old man in front of them had grown taller. Although the words he said were a joke, they sounded like a piece of metal and stone, which made them serious.

Zhang Chao was silent for a while, then slowly said, "In fact, in addition to you, I have also shown this novel to other people. Although their opinions are slightly different, they all have one thing in common, which is that they think the 'era' or 'society' in Painted Skin is not good, and even a little scary.

But I really want to ask, is it really that bad? "

The editors looked at each other, all with confused expressions - aren't these novels you wrote intended to criticize the times?

(End of this chapter)