Chinese Journal of Literary Criticism

No.2, 2018

 

Writing of Childlike Innocence and Style Exploration: Reflection on Zhang Wei’s Recent Work of Children’s Literature

 (Abstract)

 

He Zhongming and Liu Wenxiang

 

Since 2011, Zhang Wei has created many fairy tales, which have become a significant feature of his writing style. These works follow the general narrative mode of children’s literature, with structures and themes that are relatively simple, and reflecting on childlike innocence as well as the essence of purity and moral beauty with an idealistic color. Seemingly, his fairy tales differ greatly from his previous works, but it is the continuation of his previous self. It implies not only an epistemic change in Zhang Wei’s writing, but also pushes the writing of folk, nature, and morality to a new stage. Of course, Zhang Wei’s creation of children’s literature can also be seen as an escape out of the hardship and fatigue of longterm pure literary creation. It represents the artistic freedom and indulgence of his spiritual world.