1. Purpose and function: The ancient literati advocated the concept of "the article carries the Tao", emphasizing that the article should bear the role of moral education, with the purpose of propagating Confucianism and maintaining feudal ethics, which has obvious political and social functions. For example, Han Yu's Teacher's Theory emphasizes the dignity of teachers' morality and advocates the Confucian thought of respecting teachers and valuing morality, aiming at educating and guiding readers to follow feudal ethics.
However, the new prose after the May 4th Movement pays more attention to expressing personal feelings, thoughts and life experiences, and is more personalized and internal, aiming at excavating and presenting the diversity and complexity of life. For example, Bing Xin's To a Little Reader expresses her concern for children's education and growth in the form of letters, and also presents her personal feelings and thoughts.
2. Language and form: Ancient literati advocated the idea of "carrying Tao", paid attention to the language and form of articles, emphasized the rigor and standardization of articles, and wrote in ancient or classical Chinese, pursuing neat antithesis, gorgeous rhetoric and beautiful rhyme. For example, Su Shi's Fu on the Red Wall is famous for its neat antithesis, gorgeous rhetoric and beautiful rhyme, which has high artistic value.
The new prose after the May 4th Movement pays more attention to the natural fluency of language, writes in vernacular, and pursues approachable, true and natural expression effect. For example, Zhou Zuoren's Wild Vegetables in Hometown, with approachable language and delicate description, shows the author's longing for his hometown, which has a strong flavor of life and human touch.
3. Tradition and modernity: The concept of "carrying Tao by writing" advocated by ancient literati was born under the feudal social background of maintaining feudal ethics and social order and having obvious traditional colors. The new prose after the May 4th Movement pays more attention to the influence of modernization and western culture, and pursues the integration with the world and modernization transformation.
The new prose is influenced by western modern culture in terms of ideology, culture and social background, and it is more modern and international. For example, Lu Xun's Diary of a Madman draws on the creative techniques of western modern novels, reveals the cruelty of feudal ethics and the distortion of human nature, and has a strong sense of modernity and innovation.
Innovative features of new prose;
1. Expansion of theme and theme: Compared with the concept of carrying Tao in literature advocated by ancient literati, new prose pays more attention to the diversification and novelty of theme and theme. The new prose breaks through the shackles of feudal ethics and social order, and discusses the social reality, human complexity and cultural diversity in the process of modernization.
2. Innovation in language and form: The new prose has also made bold innovations and attempts in language and form. The new prose breaks the norms and preciseness of traditional ancient prose, and is written in vernacular Chinese, which is closer to real life and people's language expression. At the same time, the new prose also draws lessons from the creative techniques of western modern literature, and uses free association, nonlinear narration and cross-time narration to make the article more modern and innovative.
3. Breakthrough of ideas and concepts: The ideas and concepts of new prose also have obvious breakthroughs and innovations. New prose breaks through the shackles of traditional Confucianism, pays more attention to individuality and inner expression, and pursues a free and personalized creative style. At the same time, new prose has also been influenced by modern western culture, paying attention to the influence of modernization and western culture, and pursuing integration with the world and modernization transformation. The breakthrough and innovation of this concept make the new prose more modern and international.