China and the West

John Milton und China.
Huang Chia-yin : For many Chinese writers, Milton remained an important but indifferent literary figure in world literature. For those who attempted to introduce Milton to the Chinese reader, some degree of relevance had to be established so as to justify their interests in Milton and to create Milton's cultural significance in China. Milton's image as a model of revolutionary spirit and liberty reflected precisely such demand for relevance and cultural significance to the immediate realities in China.
The Chinese depictions of Milton during the 1920s and 30s usually addressed three aspects of Milton's life : the personal, the literary, and the political. Although Milton's religious idiosyncrasy was mentioned and occasionally elaborated to elucidate his three major poems, the importance of christian ideology to Milton was frequently toned down or overlooked. His literary achievements and political involvement were more thoroughly explored. Insead of stressing only the literary aspect, Milton's political roles were given unprecedented prominence. The story of his involvement in politics often started with the interruption of his trip in Europe due to the political tumults from England. In terms of his political roles, Milton was lifted to the level of state leaders. As the secretary for foreign tongues, Milton fended for regicide, liberty, democracy. Because of his dedication to liberty and reformation, he was sometimes described as 'a revolutionary' or 'a great poet of revolution'.
In political interpretations of Milton, liberty and nationalism converged on Milton's image as the model of revolutionary spirit and liberty. Liberty constitutes the foundation of happiness for all members of the society and forms the basis of an ideal government. Their liberal ideas are primarily derived from European liberalism. Since the late-19th century, debates on polity centered on the choices between a constitutional monarchy and a republican government.
The Chinese writers of Milton in the 1920s and 30s followed the line of liberal discourse initiated by Yan Fu and expanded by the May-fourth generation. Sifting through their screen of liberal discourse, Milton's puritan ideology and the sociopolitical circumstances of 17th-century England werde overlooked. The elements such as Milton's advocacy of liberty, his political polemics, and his service in the government were preserved and woven into a new story of liberty, revolution, and nationalism converging on Milton the paragon poet. Milton was 'borrowed' from England and reconstructed as a model for the Chinese writers to emulate.