China and the West

Tian, Han. Ping min shi ren Huiteman bai nian ji [ID D29796].
Li Xilao : Arguing that the greatness of Walt Whiman lay in the fact that he was 'but an ordinary man, an American of the new world and a child of Adam', Tian equates Whitman's Americanism with democracy and humanism. He was equally impressed by Whitman's originality in creating free verse : 'He never knows what art poetique is nor diction for the sake of rhyme'. Thus, from the spirit to the form of expression, Whitman offered what the iconoclastic noew poets had been looking for. Tian went so far as to liken the Chinese new poetry to Leaves of grass, claiming both to be a 'barbaric yawp', a 'drunk's songs'. He concluded his article : "Once Whitman's ship of democracy navigated into the Pacific, she startled the so-called dragon king of the East sea, stirring up countless demons and stormy waves alike. Now the Pacific knows no peace any more. Can the ship ever reach our East Asian continent ? That's a question. However, fellows ! Fellows of the Young china ! This ship is bound to carry us Asian people – let alone Chinese compatriots – with her. Those of us already aboard should 'steer then with good strong hand and wary eye, O! ' Long live Walt Whitman ! Long live the Young China !"
Wang Ning : Tian not only introduced Whitman's life and work but places particular emphasis on his democratic thought and aesthetic ideals. Obviously, for Tian and other Chinese intellectuals and writers at the time, the greatest significance of Whitman to modern China as well as its literature lies not merely in his forman innovations, necessary as they are, but, more important, in the democratic thought inherent in his poetry, which becomes one of the two most stimulating factors.
Huang Guiyou : Tian's analysis spread throughout China. Guo Moruo worte, that he had read and admired the article. Tian and Guo read and translated Whitman and began to greatly value his work.