Xu Zhimo

Overview

Xu Zhimo (1897-1931) was a renowned Chinese poet, writer, and prominent figure of the新月派 (Crescent Moon) movement in modern Chinese literature. Born into a wealthy family in Haining, Zhejiang province, Xu received a classical Chinese education before studying abroad in the United States and United Kingdom. His literary works, characterized by romanticism and aestheticism, had a significant influence on modern Chinese poetry. Xu is particularly famous for his poem "再别康桥" ("Farewell to Cambridge"), which has become one of the most widely recited poems in modern Chinese literature.

History

Early Life

Xu Zhimo was born on January 15, 1897, in Xiashi Town, Haining County, Zhejiang Province. His father, Xu Shenru, was a successful businessman and entrepreneur during the late Qing and early Republican periods. The Xu family was well-established in Xiashi, with generations engaged in commerce. Xu was the eldest grandson and only son, growing up in a comfortable and privileged environment.

Xu began his education at home before attending the Kaizhi School in Xiashi. In 1910, at the age of fourteen, he moved to Hangzhou and enrolled in Hangzhou Prefectural Middle School (later renamed Zhejiang No. 1 Middle School, now Hangzhou High School and Hangzhou No. 4 Middle School). During his time there, he developed an interest in literature and published his first work, "On the Relationship Between Fiction and Society," in the school magazine "You Sheng." He also showed interest in science, publishing articles such as "Radium and the History of the Earth."

Educational Journey

In 1915, Xu graduated from Zhejiang No. 1 Middle School and enrolled in Shanghai Baptist College (predecessor of today's University of Shanghai for Science and Technology). In October of the same year, he entered into an arranged marriage with Zhang Youyi, daughter of wealthy businessman Zhang Runzhi of Baoshan County.

In 1916, Xu transferred to Beiyang University in Tianjin (now Tianjin University) to study law. When the law department was merged with Peking University in 1917, Xu followed to continue his studies. During his time in Beijing, he not only studied law but also pursued Japanese, French, political science, and literature. It was during this period that his interest in literature reignited. He became acquainted with prominent intellectuals and was introduced to Liang Qichao, who became his mentor and had a profound influence on his intellectual development.

In 1918, Xu left Peking University and traveled to the United States to study banking. He attended Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he graduated with honors after ten months. He then pursued graduate studies at Columbia University in New York, focusing on economics. During his time in the US, Xu became increasingly disillusioned with American capitalism and materialism. In 1920, influenced by British philosopher Bertrand Russell, he crossed the Atlantic to study in England.

Literary Career

In 1921, through the introduction of writer Galsworthy Dickinson, Xu entered King's College, Cambridge University (then known as "康桥" - Kangqiao in Chinese) as a special student to study political economy. His two years at Cambridge profoundly influenced his literary development, exposing him to Western romanticism and aestheticism. It was during this period that he began writing poetry in the new vernacular style.

After returning to China in 1922, Xu published numerous poems and articles in various publications. In 1923, he founded the新月社 (Crescent Moon Society) in Beijing, named after a collection of poems by Rabindranath Tagore. The same year, he joined the Literary Research Association. In 1924, he co-founded the "Modern Poetry Review" weekly with Hu Shi and Chen Xiying and served as a professor at Peking University. During Tagore's visit to China in 1924, Xu served as his interpreter.

In 1926, Xu edited the "Poetry" supplement of the "Chen Bao" newspaper, marking the formal establishment of the新月派 (Crescent Moon School) of poetry. That same year, he moved to Shanghai with his second wife, Lu Xiaoman, and taught at Guanghua University (predecessor of East China Normal University), Daxia University (also predecessor of East China Normal University), and Central University in Nanjing. He also founded the "New Moon" magazine.

In 1927, Xu and other members of the Crescent Moon Society gathered in Shanghai due to changing political circumstances. He married Lu Xiaoman and they moved to Shanghai together. Xu helped establish the New Moon Bookstore and traveled extensively in Britain, America, Japan, and India.

In 1928, Xu founded the "New Moon" monthly magazine while teaching at several universities including Guanghua University and Soochow University. His famous poem "Farewell to Cambridge" was published in the December 1928 issue of "New Moon." In 1930, he was elected as a member of the British Poetry Society and served on the committee of the Chinese Cultural Foundation. He also taught at Peking University and Beijing Women's University.

In January 1931, Xu co-founded the "Poetry" quarterly with Chen Mengjia, Shao Xunmei, and Fang Weide. He was elected as a director of the Chinese branch of the International PEN.

Sudden Death

On November 19, 1931, Xu boarded a China Airlines "Jinan" postal plane in Nanjing, heading for Beijing to attend a lecture by Lin Huiyin on Chinese architecture for foreign diplomats. When the plane reached the Dangjiazhuang area in southern Jinan, it encountered heavy fog and lost its way. The pilot attempted to lower altitude to find the correct route but crashed into a mountain (now in Guyunhu Sub-district, Changqing District, Jinan). The plane burst into flames, killing all on board, including Xu and the two crew members. The accident was attributed to the fog and the pilot's fatigue from preparing his daughter's wedding the previous night.

Cai Yuanpei wrote a memorial couplet for Xu: "Conversation is poetry, action is poetry, his entire life was poetry; the meaning of poetry permeated everything, finding happiness wherever he went. One can die by boat, by car, or in a small room; death by airplane, though accidental, need not be feared."

After Xu's death, the Crescent Moon School was led by Liang Shiqing, Hu Shi, and others. The "New Moon" magazine ceased publication in June 1933 after four volumes and seven issues. During its publication, it featured works not only by Crescent Moon members but also by progressive writers like Yu Dafu, Ba Jin, Ding Ling, and Hu Yeping.

Key Information

Cultural Significance

Xu Zhimo occupies a significant place in modern Chinese literature as a leading figure of the新月派 (Crescent Moon School), which advocated for artistic freedom and aestheticism in literature. His poetry, characterized by romanticism, emotional depth, and musicality, helped shape the development of modern Chinese poetry. His most famous work, "Farewell to Cambridge," has become a cultural touchstone, widely memorized and recited in China.

Xu's personal life, particularly his relationships with Zhang Youyi, Lin Huiyin, and Lu Xiaoman, has been the subject of much public fascination and literary exploration. His pursuit of romantic love and freedom in an era of social change made him a symbol of the modern intellectual's struggle between tradition and modernity.

The Crescent Moon Society, which Xu helped establish, represented an important literary and intellectual movement that emphasized artistic independence and Western literary influences while maintaining connections to traditional Chinese culture. Despite its relatively brief existence, the movement had a lasting impact on modern Chinese literature.

Modern Status

Today, Xu Zhimo is remembered as one of the most influential poets of modern China. His works continue to be studied in schools and universities, and his poetry remains popular among general readers. The "Farewell to Cambridge" is perhaps the most well-known and frequently recited poem in modern Chinese literature, often taught to Chinese students as an example of beautiful, lyrical writing.

Several biographies and critical studies of Xu have been published, including Zhang Bangmei's "Small Feet and Western Suit: The Transformation of Zhang Youyi and Xu Zhimo's Family" (1996), which provided new insights into Xu's marriage with Zhang Youyi based on Zhang's personal accounts.

Xu's former residence in Xiashi Town, Haining, has been preserved as a memorial museum. The Cambridge King's College, where he studied, has also recognized his connection with the college, displaying a commemorative plaque in his honor.

In popular culture, Xu's life has been adapted into films, television dramas, and stage productions, reflecting his enduring fascination as a cultural figure who embodied the tensions between tradition and modernity in early 20th century China.

References

1. Hsia, C.T. A History of Modern Chinese Fiction. Yale University Press, 1971.

2. Lee, Leo Ou-fan. The Romantic Generation of Modern Chinese Writers. Harvard University Press, 1973.

3. Zhang, Bangmei. Small Feet and Western Suit: The Transformation of Zhang Youyi and Xu Zhimo's Family. Doubleday, 1996.

4. Xu, Zhimo. The Complete Works of Xu Zhimo. Beijing: People's Literature Publishing House, 2005.

5. Wang, David Der-wei. Fictional Realism in 20th-Century China: Mao Dun, Lao She, Shen Congwen. Columbia University Press, 1992.