The evaluation of the Nobel Prize is like a temporary team.
Lu Shi was convinced that even the first session could not be irregular to this extent, and it must be him who traveled through time and again exerted his power.
He asked, "Isn't Mr. Munson a historian?"
Everyone looked at Bernard Shaw in silence.
Bernard Shaw spread his hands,
"do not ask me."
He pointed to the telegram and replied: "As they said, 'literature' should not only include 'literary works,' but also other works with literary value in form or content. Mr. Monson's works also count."
This sounds like strong words.
Some people couldn't help but complain: "Then the question is, why should we evaluate Mr. Monson?"
Mommsen's status in the historical circle is so high that even the historians dare not touch Mommsen, let alone the literary circle.
No one answered.
The room fell into silence.
Bernard Shaw came closer to Lu Shi and whispered: "Now do you know why I judge myself?"
Lu Shi smiled bitterly,
"Oh, I see."
The Nobel Committee dug deep into the ground and dug out almost all well-known writers in Europe. If it were not "I judge myself", there might be more candidates than reviewers in some areas.
Bernard Shaw appeased everyone and said: "Everyone, let's do our best. Aren't there many works here that we can't understand?"
When he said "can't understand", he meant that he needed to translate.
Lu Shi's eyes scanned the list again.
There is indeed Tagore in it;
But in fact, Tagore only started writing poems in Bengali spoken language after the "Shansa Samhita", and most of his current works do not need to be translated.
Lu Shi flipped forward and soon discovered the name of the winner of the first Nobel Prize for Literature——
Sully Prudhomme.
Lu Shi has read this great man’s poems, and I like some of them very much.
For example, "The Broken Vase" was so shocking that I recited it the first time I read it.
However, the existence of a writer at the same time made Prudhomme's award seem somewhat undeserved.
"Why no Toon?"
Lu Shi asked.
Everyone was stunned.
Someone asked out of curiosity: "Professor Lu is referring to Mr. Tolstoy?"
Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy was a Russian critical realist writer, thinker, and philosopher. His representative works include "War and Peace", "Anna Karenina", and "Resurrection".
At the beginning of the 20th century, these masterpieces were published,
"Resurrection" in particular can be called the summary of Tolstoy's long-term ideological and artistic exploration.
Lu Shi nodded,
"It always seems very strange without Toon."
Someone asked: "Mr. Tolstoy's works are very ideological, but how should they be evaluated technically?"
Lu Shi replied: "Toon's masterpiece is a perfect fusion of breadth, depth and narrative skills."
When he saw everyone bowing their heads and thinking, he gave an example: "In "Anna Karenina", Levin used the stream of consciousness technique when he stayed at the farm and thought about his thoughts, and when Levin and Stepan were hunting, he inserted a From a dog’s perspective, these techniques are used very skillfully.”
Everyone couldn't help but communicate in low voices,
"Indeed, although Tolstoy's style is famous for its authenticity and naturalness, it is also written with skills. It's just that his skills are too subtle, too diverse, and too complex, giving people the feeling that there is no skill."
"This is just natural."
"Professor Lu is right. It is really strange that Mr. Tolstoy is not among the nominees. I think he can be ranked alongside Shakespeare."
"What are you talking about? Tied with Shakespeare? That's not a big deal, is it?"
"Don't defend our shortcomings just because we are British. To be honest, sometimes, I even think Mr. Tolstoy is better than Shakespeare, because I can actually see his own ideological struggle in those classic works."
…
Tolstoy developed tradition to the extreme, and no one can deny this as long as there is justice.
George Bernard Shaw said: "There is no Mr. Chekov yet."
Lu Shi reviewed the list,
"Well, no Chekov."
The old professor wearing glasses whispered: "Mr. Tolstoy said, 'I am not humble. Chekhov has surpassed me in terms of writing skills.' If Mr. Tolstoy is qualified, then Mr. Chekov It’s definitely qualified.”
Someone nearby retorted: "Chekhov is indeed good, but he does not have any long works. The writing methods and techniques of short stories and long works are completely different."
The old professor wiped his glasses,
"What's wrong with short stories? There are so many poets here~"
Saying this leaves people speechless.
Everyone couldn't help but discuss why Tolstoy and Chekov were not there.
In fact, many people thought that who would win the 1901 Literature Prize was Tolstoy.
the reason is simple:
1. He is a world-renowned great writer;
2. He was Nobel’s favorite writer during his lifetime.
Surprisingly, Tolstoy was not among the nominees at all, let alone won the final prize.
In 1902, people thought that Tolstoy had to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, but it turned out to be Mommsen, which caused an uproar in public opinion.
So much so that in modern times, when people discuss this period of literary history, they still think that the Swedish Academy is stupid.
Bernard Shaw asked: "Lu, how do you think the literary award should be evaluated?"
Lu Shi scratched his head,
"How can there be a standard for this kind of thing? The key depends on what kind of restrictions were put in place when the literary award was established. Because most of the awards are funded by someone or established in memory of someone, and they are deeply influenced by the individual."
The Hugo Award is only awarded to science fiction works;
Pulitzer Prize, winners of journalism awards are not restricted to nationality, but must have published works in American media;
Cao Yu Drama and Literature Award, you can understand it just by looking at the name;
…
Awards vary.
Lu Shi gave an example: "Natsume told me that there is a literature award in Japan, which is a bounty prize set up by "Manchabo". The first prize amount was only 10 yen."
Bernard Shaw had no idea what the yen was.
But even against the ten pound mark, the sum was pitifully small.
He complained: "Is this a 'reward'?"
Lu Shi shook his head,
"There is no need to criticize Japan like this. After all, there are many regions that do not even have literary awards. Of course, 10 yen is indeed outrageous. It is better to help publish award-winning works to satisfy the author's desire for expression."
Bernard Shaw chuckled, and then said: "What about the Nobel Prize in Literature? What do you think?"
With that said, he took out the charter and handed it to Lu Shi.
Lu Shi turned over it carefully, and then exclaimed: "Tsk..."
The charter says the award must be given to the person who has "made the greatest contribution to humanity."
George Bernard Shaw asked: "How is it?"
Lu Shi said: "I think evaluations should be divided into several categories. The first category is people like Toon. His winning of the Nobel Prize for Literature is not his own glory, but the glory of the Nobel Prize for Literature. There was no nomination this time Toon... hum..."
What follows is self-explanatory,
I just pointed my nose at the Swedish Academy and called it stupid.
Bernard Shaw pondered,
"continue."
Lu Shi said: "For the second category of writers, the Nobel Prize in Literature can prove their worth by awarding them awards."
For example, Marquez, the author of "One Hundred Years of Solitude", a masterpiece of magical realism literature, won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982 and was named "the only uncontroversial winner."
Lu Shi continued: "The third category of writers are winners who complement each other. Their masterpieces and literary careers are of sufficient weight, but they are not enough to make a special note in the history of literature."
Bernard Shaw somewhat understood Lu Shi's standards.
“Then, in the end, it’s the kind of winner who’s over-the-top and controversial.”
Lu Shi shook his head,
"No, this isn't the end."
Bernard Shaw was puzzled;
"Isn't this the end?"
Lu Shi said: "Mr. School Supervisor, does he know that I am running a newspaper recently? I found that awards are also a public opinion tool that can 'discover' authors. I just mentioned the bounty award set up by "Wan Chao Bao". Winning this award Yes, will sales increase?"
Bernard Shaw nodded,
"Business practices and literary criticism can indeed be combined with each other. Is this the 'final' you just mentioned?"
As a result, Lu Shi still shook his head,
"Actually, there are also 'last and last', that kind of inexplicable writer. For example, Mr. Monson who wrote "History of Rome". The literature award is not a history award."
Bernard Shaw was stunned for a moment, and then laughed, admiring him in his heart.
"Lu, you really dare to say that!"
He fell into deep thought, and after a while, asked: "Lu, in your heart, which category do I belong to?"
"puff!"
Lu Shi squirted immediately,
I didn't expect that my long speech would actually get me angry.
He coughed awkwardly and said: "Mr. Superintendent, this is the first Nobel Prize in Literature after all. There are no winners as a reference and there is no comparison. Which category should I classify you into? You You can’t embarrass me.”
Bernard Shaw nodded,
"understood."
Lu Shi: "..."
He couldn't help but ask: "What do you know?"
Bernard Shaw chuckled,
"If I were your first or second type of writer, you would definitely say so."
Lu Shi was even more embarrassed,
"Ah this..."
George Bernard Shaw patted him on the shoulder and said, "Actually, this is a redundant question for me. Just say that Mr. Tolstoy you just mentioned, even if I don't know myself, I don't dare to compare with him."
The conversation between the two attracted the attention of the others.
Someone said: "It's not Mr. Xiao's fault. The Swedish Academy cannot escape its shackles, and the earls still regard the Russians as barbarians~"
The word "lord count" is quite funny when it comes from an Englishman.
The old professor wearing glasses sighed,
"Mr. Tolstoy is the pride of the Russians, and Russia overthrew Sweden from its Baltic hegemony in the Great Northern War. It is inevitable that Russia will be resented. Of course, the Swedes will never admit it, but I think All other explanations are pale."
As a result of the Great Northern War, Russia dominated the Baltic Sea, while Sweden declined and disappeared from the list of European powers.
The two countries are indeed feuding.
(Russia seems to have feuds with its neighboring countries.)
But Lu Shi felt that this statement was far-fetched.
The Great Northern War took place from 1700 to 1721. It has been two hundred years since then. The Swedes should not be so petty.
Lu Shi said: "In short, it is unreasonable that Tuoweng is not included in this list."
Everyone nodded.
Putting aside all kinds of prejudices and considering it purely from a literary point of view, they all agreed with Lu Shi's point of view.
George Bernard Shaw said: "I'll send a telegram over there."
Lu Shi asked: "Are you ready to defend Mr. Tolstoy?"
The corner of George Bernard Shaw's mouth curled up and he said, "No, I am prepared to reject this nomination."
As he spoke, his eyes wandered over the list,
It’s not just the absence of Tolstoy that’s a problem, it’s also the presence of a transcendent historian like Theodor Mommsen.
Bernard Shaw also saw through the essence of the first Nobel Prize in Literature——
Grab traffic.
Under such circumstances, George Bernard Shaw thought that it was impossible for him to win the prize.
In this case, it is better to carry forward the style and actively withdraw from the selection, maybe it can also create a good story.
Bernard Shaw said with a smile: "Without Mr. Tolstoy, the first Nobel Prize in Literature is destined to be incomplete. I really can't be interested in participating in the selection of a incomplete award. It's okay not to judge this award."
That's right,
But to outsiders, he sounds "high-spirited and upright" everywhere, so much so that he almost has this word tattooed on his face.
Discussions arose,
"I think Mr. Xiao is giving the Swedish Academy eye drops~"
"Well, I'll force you to withdraw from the selection."
"Hahahahaha, it's so happy! It's so happy!"
…
Lu Shi really didn't expect that things would develop like this.
He said: "Mr. Superintendent, please don't be impulsive."
George Bernard Shaw replied: "It is definitely not impulsive. After listening to what you just said, I have made up my mind and cannot win without force."
This tone makes it seem as if without Tolstoy, the Nobel Prize in Literature would be within reach.
The first winner was clearly Prudhomme.
Lu Shi's head was full of black lines,
￣□￣｜｜
He said: "Mr. Superintendent, do you want to think about it again? This is..."
Before he finished speaking, he heard a "crash" from behind him.
Lu Shi turned around,
I saw a young professor throwing the manuscript aside, stretching and saying: "I will not comment. As Mr. Xiao said, 'Without Mr. Tolstoy, the first Nobel Prize in Literature is destined to be won." is incomplete'."
With him taking the lead, others followed suit.
In the blink of an eye, everyone lost the manuscript.
Bernard Shaw couldn't help but laugh,
"Okay! My colleagues are really brave!"
Lu Shi couldn't help complaining in his heart,
This has absolutely nothing to do with character.
It was clear that there were too many nominees, resulting in too many manuscripts, and the professors no longer wanted to stay up all night to be a bullshit.
Bernard Shaw looked at Lu Shi,
"Lu, what do you think?"
Lu Shi replied: "I never wanted to enter the muddy waters of the Nobel Prize."
Bernard Shaw expected this to be the case,
"I knew you were as humble and low-key as ever. Well, let us from the London University Alliance draft a telegram together."
He turned around and looked at the crowd,
"Everyone think about how to write the telegram."
A group of people were all talking,
"The essence of a literary award is evaluation. Let me start with a quote written by Nietzsche in "The Birth of Tragedy": 'There has never been an era when art was talked about so much and respected so little.'"
"Nietzsche? I disagree."
"What do you say."
"Isn't it because of Professor Lu that we have all the discussions we have today? How nice to quote Professor Lu directly. 'Toon's masterpiece is a perfect blend of breadth, depth and narrative skills.'"
…
As he spoke, everyone's eyes fell on Lu Shi.
Lu Shi was confused,
"Wait...that...isn't...you are acting like this, it seems like I am the instigator."
Bernard Shaw said calmly: "It's certainly unfair to say that, but...well...it seems...like...probably...probably about the same."
(End of chapter)
