Lao She (December 23, 1899-August 24, 1966) was a famous modern Chinese drama critic and scholar. He was known as one of the most famous novelists in China in the 20th century and one of the founders of modern Chinese literature. Lao She's name, Shu Qingchun, had a profound meaning. Shu was his surname, and Qingchun was his name. The meaning of Shu Qingchun's three words was: Shu represented his lover's lover, Shu represented his gentle and cheerful personality, and Qing represented his thriving career. These three elements together formed the unique meaning of Lao She's name and also reflected his character and attitude towards life. Lao She's background was very prominent. He was the son of a noble family in the Qing Dynasty. He studied at Beijing Normal University and Peking University. His family background and education provided him with a good literary environment and artistic atmosphere, so he had a strong interest in literature and art since he was young. He created a large number of literary works, including novels, plays, essays, poems, etc., and made outstanding contributions to the cause of Chinese literature.
Lao She (December 23, 1899-August 24, 1966) was a modern Chinese drama, director, politician, and ideologist. His pen name was Shu Qingchun, which originated from his original name Shu Yi. In addition, he also used other pen names such as Shu Mo, Shu Jun, Shu Gou, etc. The name Shu Qingchun was a homonym of the surname Shu, meaning "relaxed and happy", while "Qingchun" implied "happiness and prosperity". Lao She hoped to use this pen name to express his relaxed, happy, optimistic attitude towards life, as well as his expectations for the prosperity and development of Chinese society.
Lao She's original name was Shu Qingchun. Because Lao She was born in the beginning of spring in the lunar calendar, his parents named him "Qingchun," probably to celebrate the arrival of spring and the bright future. After going to school, he changed his name to Shu Sheyu, which meant "abandoning himself" or "forgetting myself." Later, he published a novel and used Lao She as his pen name. Lao She did not have a firm and pure literary standpoint. His literary thoughts were wavering, but he tended to look at literature from an emotional point of view. He believed that "making people happy is the purpose of art" and "literature is to understand and explain life".
In Lao She's novel," Wujiu," the word " Wujiu " referred to the 9th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar, which was also the traditional Dragon Boat Festival in China. In traditional Chinese culture, the Dragon Boat Festival is regarded as a very important festival. People usually eat zongzi, race dragon boats, hang mugwort leaves, drink realgar wine, etc. to commemorate Qu Yuan. In the novel, the 59th Festival was a festival where the protagonist, Third Master Ma, and his neighbors gathered to celebrate. During this festival, people would do some traditional activities such as dragon boat racing, hanging mugwort leaves, drinking realgar wine, and so on. During this festival, Third Master Ma and his neighbors would also share their lives and stories with each other. Therefore,"May 9th" in the novel represented a traditional festival and an opportunity for the protagonist, Third Master Ma, to communicate and get to know each other.
Lao She (February 23, 1899-August 24, 1966) was a modern Chinese dramatist, critic, and translator. His original name was Shu Qingchun, and because he liked the English novel The Great Gatsby, he changed the "Shu" in his original name to "Lao She", meaning "Lao She is famous all over the world".
Lao She (December 23, 1899-August 24, 1966) was a famous Chinese drama director and social actician. His masterpieces included Camel Xiangzi, Teahouse, Four Generations Under One roof, etc. Lao She's works deeply reflect the reality of Chinese society and people's lives, and are deeply loved by readers and audiences. He was known as the founder of modern Chinese literature and the most outstanding in the history of Chinese literature.