Scientism and Mao Dun’s Early Selection in Literature

Mao Dun’s early literary career underwent the change from neo-romanticism back to naturalism. In analyzing the cause of the change, most critics lack the rational scientist viewpoint and thus fail to give a satisfactory approach. The creative principle of naturalism, which emphasizes precise observation, scientific evidence, cool anatomy and objective narratives is in fact entirely in accordance with the spirit of the May 4th movement. There is an internal link between that and scientist trend and thus it becomes the basis of “art for life”. These are the main cause of Mao Dun’s selection of naturalist literature. Hu Shi’s theory of historical literature also plays a role in the selection.