Lu Xun himself has practical experience in education. After he returned from studying in Japan, he successively taught in normal schools, government middle schools and other schools, served as school supervisor (principal), later served as a member of the Ministry of Education, and also taught in Peking University, Beijing Normal University and other schools. He not only has concrete educational practical experience, but also has many important expositions on educational issues. Naturally, most of his discussions on education are scattered in some of his essays and letters, and even some thoughts and opinions are expressed in some novels and essays, but on the whole, it is enough to show his rich and profound educational theories and thoughts. In fact, this is completely consistent with his idea and starting point of transforming "national character" and "inspiring people's wisdom" as a writer.
19 18, Lu Xun published Diary of a Madman, which can be said to be the foundation stone of modern literature in China, and had a far-reaching influence on the history of modern literature and thought in China. These influences are undoubtedly multifaceted, and one of them is very important: at the end of his works, he issued the most bitter and resentful cry-"Save the children"-which awakened an era and opened a major topic about enlightenment and education.
19 19, just as the May 4th New Culture Movement was in full swing, Lu Xun published a famous social commentary, How Do We Be Fathers Now? Although I talked about being a "father", the core issue is actually education. In other words, we might as well expand the topic to how to be a "teacher".
In this article, Lu Xun clearly put forward the idea of "children-oriented", that is, children should be put on the "standard", everything should be for children, and everything should start from children. Firstly, he criticized the concept that fathers have "kindness" to their children in the traditional ethical system, and put forward that the correct understanding and attitude towards children should be out of "love". Because "kindness" becomes "love", parents and children can be equal, and parents should raise their children with "sound production, the best education and complete liberation" without expecting anything in return. Because it is out of love, the elders can even make sacrifices: "I bear the burden of tradition, shoulder the dark door, and let them (children) go to a wide and bright place;" After that, I will live happily and be a reasonable person. " This is the most selfless love. From this passage, we can not only see Lu Xun's brand-new educational concept, but also feel his broad mind.
Shortly thereafter, the Alumni Association of the Middle School Attached to Beijing Normal University invited Lu Xun to give a speech, and he once again involved in the education of teenagers. The title of this speech is Before Genius. On the surface, what he said is literature and art, which is the expectation and cultivation of "genius", but in fact, this is still the fundamental problem of youth education.
The main purpose of Lu Xun's speech is to hope that the people and the cultivators of "genius" (compare "genius" to "flower" and this "cultivator" is "soil") will do their best to cultivate and care for "genius" with perseverance. His basic view is that without good soil, it is impossible to cultivate good flowers. What should this good soil look like? He believes that: first of all, don't indoctrinate young people with too many old ideas and traditions. In short, it is good to "break away from the old routine"; Secondly, encourage young people to boldly absorb new knowledge and new ideas, that is, "expand the spirit" and "integrate into new fashions"; Another point, which is also very important, is to care for young people, don't be afraid of their naivety, don't accuse them of ignorance, and don't attack or even stifle them at will. Lu Xun said: "even a genius is just an ordinary child when he hears the first cry of his birth ... because he is naive, he can die if he is beaten into a thief."
Lu Xun also discussed how to treat children's "naivety" on some later occasions. He believes that it is not surprising that childishness is a very normal thing for children in their development. Without naivety, there is no development and there is no maturity. We should never stifle a child's development and growth because of his naivety. He once said: "As for childishness, there is nothing to be ashamed of, just as a child has nothing to be ashamed of an old man. Innocence will grow and mature, just don't get old and corrupt. If you are skilled, you can start work, that is, even the village women are not so stupid. Her child has learned to walk. Even if she falls, she will never let her child lie in bed from now on until she learns to walk. " (Silent China, see Volume 4 of Complete Works of Lu Xun, page 15, People's Literature Publishing House, 198 1 version).
It is based on the viewpoint of "children-oriented" that Lu Xun, in view of China's long-term emphasis on "dignity as a teacher", asked teachers and students to be "friendly as friends" and proposed that teachers and students should establish an "equal relationship". He said: "The elders should be guides and negotiators, not commanders." ("How can we be fathers now?" See Complete Works of Lu Xun, vol. 1, p. 136, People's Literature Publishing House, p. 198 1 version). And he said: "It is too respectful to learn ancient religion, and I am quite disgusted. I think that if the teacher is absurd, I might as well rebel, but if the teacher is innocent, I can't take the opportunity to throw stones to save myself in order to get the will of the enemy. " ("Lu Xun's letters? Go to Cao Juren? 193306 18 ",see Complete Works of Lu Xun, vol. 12, pp. 185, People's Literature Publishing House, 198 1 version). Lu Xun was worried about the so-called "education". He said: even if we have to give a little so-called education because of the times, we think it is enough to pay fools. So when they grow up, they really become fools, just like us. "(see" Complete Works of Lu Xun ",Volume 6, page 36, People's Literature Publishing House 198 1 version).
1933, Lu Xun wrote an essay "Children in Shanghai", just a few hundred words, only published some thoughts on school education and family education at that time, but hit the nail on the head. Originally in China, there have been two extreme problems of "laissez-faire" and "control" in youth education, which have delayed the healthy development of many young people for many years. Lu Xun was keenly aware of this shortcoming and put forward his own views. He said:
"Middle-class families in China have only two ways to educate their children. First, allow domineering, regardless. It's okay to call names and hit people. Inside or in front of the door, there is a tyrant and a bully, but outside the door, like a spider that has lost its net, there is nothing to do at once. Secondly, being snubbed or reprimanded or even beaten all day makes him flinch, like a slave and a puppet. But his parents euphemistically called him "obedient" and thought that he was a success in education. When he is put outside, he will never fly or jump, that is, like a bird that is temporarily released. "
In this regard, Lu Xun's attitude is sharp. He pointed out: "stubbornness and sluggishness are enough to make people decline and perish." Childhood is the fate of the future. Our new role stresses love, small family, self-reliance and enjoyment, but few people ask children about family education, school education and social reform. In the past, people only knew that it was wrong to make cattle and horses for their children and grandchildren, but it was a bigger mistake to only focus on the present and not consider the future. "
It's hard to say whether Lu Xun is talking about a local youth education issue or a big national issue. Obviously, Lu Xun deeply realized that the education problem is not isolated, but closely linked with social problems, so he said, "What about the style of study? I think it is related to the political state and social situation. " He also said: "Just like a person's blood is bad, a part of his body can never be healthy alone, and the education sector will not be particularly noble in such a Republic." ("Two copies? Two? 1925033 1 ",see Complete Works of Lu Xun, vol. 1 1 4, People's Literature Publishing House, vol. 198 1 version). Therefore, in his view, the reform of education must be synchronized with society, even based on social reform.