Lao She

Lao She (老舍, Pinyin: Lǎo Shě), (February 3, 1899 - August 24 ?, 1966) was a noted Chinese writer of Manchurian ethnicity. A novelist and dramatist, he was one of the most significant figures of 20th century Chinese literature, and perhaps best known for his novel Camel Xiangzi or Rickshaw Boy (駱駝祥子) and the play Teahouse (茶館).

Related Topics:
Pinyin - February 3 - 1899 - August 24 - 1966 - Chinese - Writer - Manchurian - Novelist - Dramatist - 20th century - Chinese literature

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Born Shū Qìngchūn (舒慶春) in Beijing, to a poor family belonging to the Red Banner clan group. In 1913 he was admitted to the Beijing Normal School #3 High School (currently Beijing #3 High School) but had to leave after several months because of finances. In the same year he was accepted into the Beijing Institue for Education, graduating in 1918.

Related Topics:
Beijing - Red Banner - 1913

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Between 1918 and 1924 he was involved as administrator and faculty member at a number of primary and secondary schools in Beijing and Tianjin. He was highly influenced by the May Fourth Movement (1919). He stated, " May Fourth gave me a new spirit and a new literary language. I am grateful to May Fourth , as it allowed me to become a writer."

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He went on to serve as lecturer at the University of London from 1924 to 1929 in the Chinese language department of the Oriental institute. During his time in London, he absorbed a great deal of English literature and began his own writing. His later novel ?? ?Ma and Son) drew on these experiences.

Related Topics:
University of London - 1924 - 1929

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In the summer of 1929 he left Britain for Singapore, teaching at the Chinese High School (????). Between his return to China in the spring of 1930 until 1937, he taught at several universities, including Jilu University (Jinan) and Shandong University (Qingdao)

Related Topics:
1929 - 1930 - 1937 - Jinan - Qingdao

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His first important novel, Luotuo Xiangzi (駱駝祥子, "Camel Xiangzi," widely known in the West as "Rickshaw Boy" or "Rickshaw"), was published in 1936. It is considered to be a classic of modern Chinese literature. During World War II, he also made noted contributions as a leader of anti-Japanese writers in China. He became the vice chairman of the Union of Writers after 1949. After the establishment of the PRC, his writing fell largely in life with state ideology, whereas before it had been broadly critical and satirical. Like thousands of other intellectuals in China, he is believed to have experienced mistreatment in the Cultural Revolution of the mid-1960s.

Related Topics:
1936 - World War II - China - 1949 - Cultural Revolution - 1960s

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Greatly humiliated both mentally and physically, some report that he committed suicide in 1966. However, many hold that he actually died as a result of a beating by the Red Guards.

Related Topics:
Suicide - Red Guards

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His other important works include Si Shi Tong Tang (四世同堂, "Four Generations under One Roof"), a novel describing the life of the Chinese people during the Japanese Occupation; Cat Country (???) a satire which is sometimes seen as the first important Chinese science fiction novel, Cha Guan (茶館, "Teahouse"), a play written in 1957; and Lao Zhang de Zhexue (老張的哲學, "The Philosophy of Old Zhang"), his first published novel, written in London (1926).

Related Topics:
Japanese Occupation - 1957

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He had four children, two sons and two daughters.

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