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Since Mo Yan became the first Chinese writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, debates on whether his masterpieces should be included in primary and middle school textbooks have been widespread. While Language and Culture Press has already included Mo’s works into optional Chinese literature reading materials for high school students, People’s Literature magazine’s editor in chief praises Mo’s early short novels as being full of poetry and very suitable for scholars.
However, is it possible for his work to be used as compulsory education material? A survey conducted by Sina.com.cn shows that 89.7 percent of readers believe Mo’s writing to be unfavorable for school.
Supporters
Gen Yinping (www.yznews.com.cn): Even if Mo’s writing is not used in middle school textbooks, many students have already begun to read his work. In the Internet era, scholars are spoilt for choice and can easily catch up with the latest trends.
So why is his work not in schools yet? It might be due to the monopoly within China’s current textbook editing system. Publishers are seldom worried about whether students are interested in textbook stories or not. When Mo became a Nobel laureate, however, editorial boards suddenly found they might have overlooked an important writer in modern Chinese literature.
Including his work in textbooks is nothing short of an improvement in current middle school education. Currently The Red Radish, which features a poetic, childlike atmosphere, is believed will grab students’ attention.
Wang Junrong (www.newssc.org): I’m really surprised by the debates on whether Mo’s work should form part of optional courses at middle schools. In my opinion, it’s natural to absorb his writing into Chinese textbooks. Mo has reached great achievements in literature and is China’s first Nobel Prize laureate. The work of someone eligible for this type of award can’t be too bad. It would be helpful for students to read his books during class. Some argue that Mo’s work might be unsuitable for students, but the title chosen as optional reading material appears perfectly fine to me. Why is there still so much controversy?
As a matter of fact, Mo’s works should have been chosen as textbook materials much earlier. At vocational schools, his writing has long been part of the education system. Mo’s works boast beautiful language and interesting stories, which are very popular with students. His work could play an integral part in encouraging kids to read more. Opponents
Zhang Xiliu (Xi’an Daily): Since Mo received the Nobel Prize for Literature, public enthusiasm for his work has grown. Some publishers want to take advantage of Mo Yan to make big profits and have decided to include his writing into reading materials of middle school optional courses. To some extent, they are taking advantage of the Nobel laureate.
I do not deny the rationality of printing Mo’s work in middle school textbooks. His early short novels are full of poetry and interest, thus quite suitable for students to read. Why wasn’t his work used in school education before he won the Nobel Prize however? His past achievements seem of little value compared to the current scramble for his books.
In my opinion, publishers have revealed a certain laziness and lack of responsibility when it comes to preparing educational material.
Yang Guodong (www.yznews.com.cn): Mo’s winning the Nobel Prize is something to be celebrated as a milestone in the history of modern Chinese literature. However, as for whether Mo’s works should be included into middle school textbooks, there are certain principles to bear in mind when compiling educational material. The rules should not be broken now that Mo is a Nobel laureate. If someone’s work is included in school material just because of a prize, textbook selection and editing teams can be dissolved. Why? Textbooks full of prizewinning material could marginalize the work of lesser known, but equally inspiring writers.
Textbooks must be suitable for teaching purposes and helpful in the improvement of learning. For many years, few Nobel laureates have had their works utilized as education material for middle school students. Why? Most of their works are difficult to understand. Even adults have trouble coming to grips with certain books, let alone scholars. In some cases, Nobel laureate works can be pretty hard to sell.
Although he won the Nobel Prize, Mo’s work remains controversial.
Peter Englund, Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy, says that Mo makes readers see the dark side of society through sarcasm. For this reason, Mo’s works are regarded as vulgar and carnal. Englund adds that, “Mo’s stories are some of the most terrible I’ve read.”Although some people say The Red Radish is an excellent work and can help teenagers experience the beauty of Chinese literature, it is partly a sexual piece of writing and unsuitable for scholars. If his works must be taken into textbooks, I think publishers should instead consider college material. After all, college students are adults who have a better understanding of explicit content. Ma Diming (Yangcheng Evening News): My worry is that to what extent can students understand Mo’s works? Is Nobel Prize literature suitable for middle school education? Indeed, I doubt that literature featuring such a magical style is fit for the purpose. More importantly, what lies behind the decision to include Mo’s works in middle school textbooks? Is it to improve reading ability or provide a nutritional reading experience? Or is it only because he won the Nobel Prize?
If Mo’s works are so suitable for Chinese middle school education, why has it been left out for so many years? Only when he won the Nobel Prize did his works become eligible, even though publishers have made little comment as to the exact reasons behind its suitability. Perhaps students are equally puzzled regarding the future of their textbooks?
Theoretically speaking, Nobel laureate works can’t be too bad. However, it’s ridiculous to include a writer’s material only after he or she has just won such a prestigious award. In many cases, books that have nothing to do with the Nobel Prize are also very good.
Mo’s works are not bad, but after all, few have actually read his books, based on the fact that literature is not high on most people’s agenda at present. The craze after Mo’s works, thus, is probably more related to his scooping the Nobel literature award than to the quality of his writing.
However, is it possible for his work to be used as compulsory education material? A survey conducted by Sina.com.cn shows that 89.7 percent of readers believe Mo’s writing to be unfavorable for school.
Supporters
Gen Yinping (www.yznews.com.cn): Even if Mo’s writing is not used in middle school textbooks, many students have already begun to read his work. In the Internet era, scholars are spoilt for choice and can easily catch up with the latest trends.
So why is his work not in schools yet? It might be due to the monopoly within China’s current textbook editing system. Publishers are seldom worried about whether students are interested in textbook stories or not. When Mo became a Nobel laureate, however, editorial boards suddenly found they might have overlooked an important writer in modern Chinese literature.
Including his work in textbooks is nothing short of an improvement in current middle school education. Currently The Red Radish, which features a poetic, childlike atmosphere, is believed will grab students’ attention.
Wang Junrong (www.newssc.org): I’m really surprised by the debates on whether Mo’s work should form part of optional courses at middle schools. In my opinion, it’s natural to absorb his writing into Chinese textbooks. Mo has reached great achievements in literature and is China’s first Nobel Prize laureate. The work of someone eligible for this type of award can’t be too bad. It would be helpful for students to read his books during class. Some argue that Mo’s work might be unsuitable for students, but the title chosen as optional reading material appears perfectly fine to me. Why is there still so much controversy?
As a matter of fact, Mo’s works should have been chosen as textbook materials much earlier. At vocational schools, his writing has long been part of the education system. Mo’s works boast beautiful language and interesting stories, which are very popular with students. His work could play an integral part in encouraging kids to read more. Opponents
Zhang Xiliu (Xi’an Daily): Since Mo received the Nobel Prize for Literature, public enthusiasm for his work has grown. Some publishers want to take advantage of Mo Yan to make big profits and have decided to include his writing into reading materials of middle school optional courses. To some extent, they are taking advantage of the Nobel laureate.
I do not deny the rationality of printing Mo’s work in middle school textbooks. His early short novels are full of poetry and interest, thus quite suitable for students to read. Why wasn’t his work used in school education before he won the Nobel Prize however? His past achievements seem of little value compared to the current scramble for his books.
In my opinion, publishers have revealed a certain laziness and lack of responsibility when it comes to preparing educational material.
Yang Guodong (www.yznews.com.cn): Mo’s winning the Nobel Prize is something to be celebrated as a milestone in the history of modern Chinese literature. However, as for whether Mo’s works should be included into middle school textbooks, there are certain principles to bear in mind when compiling educational material. The rules should not be broken now that Mo is a Nobel laureate. If someone’s work is included in school material just because of a prize, textbook selection and editing teams can be dissolved. Why? Textbooks full of prizewinning material could marginalize the work of lesser known, but equally inspiring writers.
Textbooks must be suitable for teaching purposes and helpful in the improvement of learning. For many years, few Nobel laureates have had their works utilized as education material for middle school students. Why? Most of their works are difficult to understand. Even adults have trouble coming to grips with certain books, let alone scholars. In some cases, Nobel laureate works can be pretty hard to sell.
Although he won the Nobel Prize, Mo’s work remains controversial.
Peter Englund, Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy, says that Mo makes readers see the dark side of society through sarcasm. For this reason, Mo’s works are regarded as vulgar and carnal. Englund adds that, “Mo’s stories are some of the most terrible I’ve read.”Although some people say The Red Radish is an excellent work and can help teenagers experience the beauty of Chinese literature, it is partly a sexual piece of writing and unsuitable for scholars. If his works must be taken into textbooks, I think publishers should instead consider college material. After all, college students are adults who have a better understanding of explicit content. Ma Diming (Yangcheng Evening News): My worry is that to what extent can students understand Mo’s works? Is Nobel Prize literature suitable for middle school education? Indeed, I doubt that literature featuring such a magical style is fit for the purpose. More importantly, what lies behind the decision to include Mo’s works in middle school textbooks? Is it to improve reading ability or provide a nutritional reading experience? Or is it only because he won the Nobel Prize?
If Mo’s works are so suitable for Chinese middle school education, why has it been left out for so many years? Only when he won the Nobel Prize did his works become eligible, even though publishers have made little comment as to the exact reasons behind its suitability. Perhaps students are equally puzzled regarding the future of their textbooks?
Theoretically speaking, Nobel laureate works can’t be too bad. However, it’s ridiculous to include a writer’s material only after he or she has just won such a prestigious award. In many cases, books that have nothing to do with the Nobel Prize are also very good.
Mo’s works are not bad, but after all, few have actually read his books, based on the fact that literature is not high on most people’s agenda at present. The craze after Mo’s works, thus, is probably more related to his scooping the Nobel literature award than to the quality of his writing.