These are all mentioned by Professor Wang Yuguang of Peking University in the lecture on "Reading and Classics" in Puyang Civic Culture Lecture Hall on May 27th, and they are also the dry goods and golden sentences in the whole lecture.
What is a classic and the great significance of reading a classic are gradually recognized by the world with the in-depth development of reading promotion activities in recent years. As for which classics to read, different people have different opinions, and there is no conclusion. Here, let me introduce Professor Wang Yuguang's point of view.
Why don't primary schools read Disciples Rules, and why don't middle schools read Four Great Classical Novels?
To sum up, Professor Wang stressed that children should not be exposed to books with too strong ideas too early, because there are many so-called classics that are still full of dross. Many poems in the four classical novels are related to eroticism and are not suitable for children to read. This is quite different from the traditional cognition that A Dream of Red Mansions and Water Margin are required reading.
Why should we read more Historical Records, The Book of Songs and The Analects of Confucius after middle school?
Generally speaking, classic books are divided into four books and five classics, pre-Qin philosophers, Tang and Song poems, classical novels and many other categories. Books such as Historical Records, The Book of Songs, The Analects of Confucius, 300 Tang Poems, and China's View of Ancient Literature have won unanimous admiration through the ages, while classic novels such as Four Great Classical Novels were widely known to the public only after recommended by Hu Shi 1949. I think this is one of the reasons why Wang Yuguang, an expert in ancient books research, does not advocate reading Four Great Classical Novels.
How to read is to read aloud and recite.
There is no shortcut to learning classics, only reading more books and memorizing them well. Professor Wang's doctoral supervisor, whom he especially worships, is a model for traditional intellectuals to read classics. This old gentleman is imposing and distinguished. For decades, he got up at four or five every morning to do morning reading, rain or shine. Only one day, the light in the study didn't go on-because he drove the crane to the west that day ... When I heard that, everyone present was moved. This is a humanistic spirit. In fact, reading classics is learning about our cultural heritage.
Classic reading and reciting are our shortcomings. So far, we all regret that we recited too few classics when we were young. How can we make up for it? I don't think it's too late to start studying now. Reading, reading the right book at the right age is a very lucky thing, especially in the critical period, it is even luckier to get expert advice.
Of course, Professor Wang Yuguang's views are also the opinions of one family. Let's talk about them for your reference. It is worth mentioning that this time I saw his old man's house still laughing and cursing, not sticking to one pattern, quite a Peking University demeanor. Today, with the popularization of digital reading, he still sticks to "electronic text", just like a photo of a naked beauty, which makes reading fall into a sad embarrassing situation. Reading on paper is like facing a really well-dressed girl, with not only content but also physical attributes that can be touched. "Think about it is also very cute.
Those who are interested in continuing to explore classic reading can find his book Reading and Classics, which will certainly inspire you.