Journal of East China Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences) ›› 2023, Vol. 55 ›› Issue (1): 114-123.doi: 10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5579.2023.01.011

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The Translation and Introduction of Max O’Rell’ s Works in China and the Rise of “New Women” in the May 4th Movement:Clues Drawn from CHEN Du-xiu’s Translation of “Views on Women”

Xiao-hua CAO   

  • Online:2023-01-15 Published:2023-01-18

Abstract:

“Views on Women” is CHEN Du-xiu’ s first translation work published in La Jeunesse The original text comes from the humorous essay collection Rambles in Womanland by French writer Max O’Rell. The book records O’Rell’ s change in his attitude towards the “new women” in the West. Taking O’Rell’ s writing as an opportunity, the Western concept of “new women” was semantically revised in the Chinese context, promoting the birth of the “new women” in the May 4th Movement. CHEN and LIU Ban-nong depicted the outline of the “new women” against the backdrop of “new people” by translating and rewriting O’Rell’s works. Later, the “Special Issue for Women” published by La Jeunesse was once again inter-textualized with O’Rell’ s texts, reflecting a certain limitation on the voice of the female pioneers. The folk’s borrowing of O’Rell’ s works showed the imagination of the “new women” by different social groups around the May 4th Movement. The translation and introduction of Max O’Rell’ s works in China enriched the cross-cultural context behind the rise of the “new women” in that historical period.

Key words: “Views on Women”, CHEN Du-xiu, Max O’Rell, trans-lingual practice, new women