"Midnight" is an epoch-making epic masterpiece that Mao Dun started writing in 1931 and completed in December 1932. I read Mr. Mao Dun's Midnight on the recommendation of a friend. After reading this book, I not only learned about the special Shanghai city of the 1930s and the various contradictions and struggles in Chinese society at that time, but also saw all kinds of people. In this book, Mr. Mao Dun's naming art is fully demonstrated in the title and character description.
? Mao Dun named this book "Midnight", which has a symbolic meaning. "Midnight" means midnight, which has a dual nature. It is the darkest period and the moment closest to dawn. At that time, Chinese society was in the darkest period before dawn, but the Chinese people also had firm confidence that they would break through the darkness and move towards dawn. The word "Midnight" highly summarizes the historical background and ideological content of the novel.
1. Characters in the bourgeois group
? Wu Sunfu is the key character portrayed in "Midnight" . When he first appeared, the author used words such as "arrogant", "burly", "majestic", and "commanding" to describe Wu Sunfu. It can be said that he has a domineering style. Wu Sunfu is a national capitalist who has learned advanced business management knowledge. He is shrewd and capable, has outstanding resourcefulness and skills, strong self-confidence and strong energy. He dares to take risks, has courage and courage. He is valuable. The progressive nature of his name corresponds to the word "Sun" which is a metaphor for virtue; the other word "Fu" in his name can be regarded as a kind of good name, but at the same time, "Fu" also means "beginning," The meaning of "In the beginning" can not only express Wu Sunfu's far-sighted courage and ambition to develop a modern enterprise at a certain level; it also hints that Wu Sunfu is still making preliminary attempts and exploring the development path, so the work In the later period, Wu Sunfu's spiritual emptiness and weakness of strength were inevitable. Wu Sunfu embodies the characteristics of the era of the duality of the national bourgeoisie. Under the background of imperialist rule, the Chinese national bourgeoisie, whose production development relies on foreign capitalism and its own feudal rulers, is revolutionary at the same time. Compromising.
? Tu Weiyue, regarded by Wu Sunfu as an effective general, is a young man with great potential. "Guang Ya" says: "Wei, Yuye." Tu Weiyue is a "person hiding in the corner". He is good at disguising himself and is well versed in the two-sided rule of yin and yang. He is ruthless but also possesses a strong power. adaptability. While using some insidious means to sow discord, he pretended to be polite and polite. When the workers who were slacking on their work resisted, he still smiled, thus blurring the workers' will to resist. "Yue, mountain." As a "mountain hiding in the corner", Tu Weiyue has a calm, steady and tough character, and he has a strong ability to control his own behavior. It can be seen from the description in the article that Tu Weiyue came to Wu Sunfu's factory through the introduction of the late Mrs. Wu, but he was almost buried in Wu Sunfu's life world. When he faced Wu Sunfu for the first time, he did not lose himself like Fu Sheng because of Mrs. Wu. On the contrary, he had a calm and fearless attitude. There was no expression at all, only his eyes shone with a natural and alert light." Tu Weiyue is closer to Wu Sunfu in terms of life experience, cultivation, character, and ability. At the same time, he is more cautious and pragmatic than Wu Sunfu. As far as the future is concerned, Tu Weiyue may not be a successor to Wu Sunfu.
As a typical comprador financial capitalist, Zhao Botao occupies a very important position in the whole story. As soon as he appears, he is in a position of opposition to Wu Sunfu, and at the same time he is sure of victory. With the backing of American financial capitalists and the unique position of being "connected with the military and political circles", Zhao Botao was above Wu Sunfu and all entrepreneurs, arrogant and able to do whatever he wanted. There is not much positive description of him in the work, but readers can feel his shadow everywhere. Just like the word "Tao" in his name, as a case holding a bow or sword, he is located in a hidden position and uses various cunning and vicious methods to exclude, attack and control the national industry. He has a violent and despicable character. and naked bestiality.
? Zhou Zhongwei can be said to be the most comic businessman image in the book. From the moment he appeared, the author directly stated his character traits, saying, "He is famous for his love of winning over and being the best at bragging for others." "Shuowen" said: "Wei is also strange." As a person with a lively and cheerful personality, quick thinking and not gloomy, Zhou Zhongwei seems to be very innocent in public. It is inevitable that such a number one figure appears in a group of businessmen with false calculations. It doesn't make people feel "refreshing", it can be regarded as a "strange alternative" among businessmen. At the same time, as a typical lower-class bourgeoisie, Zhou Zhongwei has the weakness and compromise of the bourgeoisie. Just like the word "Zhong" in his name, he has no position to speak of. He made a speech advocating domestic products, but forgot that he used Swedish matches; when talking to Chen Junyi, he said: "However, the workers are Chinese after all, and we are Chinese too. When they scold us, they only scold themselves." There is even some Ah Q spirit.
2. Main female characters
Although the female image in "Midnight" is not the main color in the work, Description, but it is an essential link. As Mrs. Wu, Lin Peiyao, her yearning for love is just like her name, like a beautiful jade, bright and white, beautiful and precious, but fragile and fragile. There is a "utopia of love" in Lin Peiyao's heart. Although it is beautiful, it is extremely illusory. Lin Peiyao, an extreme romantic, married Wu Sunfu, an extreme realist. Her fate is doomed to tragedy.
? Sun Huifang, who was detained in the dark "tomb" by Mrs. Wu and tightly surrounded by traditional feudal ethics, first arrived in Shanghai in the new era of open-mindedness, just like her name Generally speaking, although fragrant and pure, she is like a lonely rootless grass, squeezed between two civilizations. Facing the contradictory pain in her spirit, she is sad and lonely, longing for someone to take her out. Dilemma. In the end, under Zhang Susu's guidance, she went to find the true and beautiful freedom.
4. Summary
As Mao Dun's landmark realist masterpiece, "Midnight" embodies Mao Dun's immortal artistic pursuit. Despite the grand scale, the creation of group portraits still retains meticulousness and profound meaning, which is worthy of our careful consideration. A good novel is indispensable to the naming of characters. The names of the characters in "Midnight" have already hinted at their destiny. The name is not just a simple symbol, but also contains rich cultural meanings and exquisite literary functions. Everything behind this reflects Mr. Mao Dun’s ingenuity.