Aspiration of creativity in Chinese society: an idiosyncratic study of three prominent Chinese writers in early 20th century

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined how society and culture would influence the development of representative figures’ (or so-called “creators”) creativity. In particular, it tried to answer three questions: (1) How different are the factors that contribute to the growth of creative genius who lives in Chinese and in Western cultures? (2) What are the effects of different dynamic factors in creator’s early life? (3) What do the three contexts (family, education and friends) of creators’ have in common?

Methods: An exploratory qualitative case study approach was used. Based on the perception of university undergraduate students, three most creative Chinese writers in early 20th Century were selected (i.e., Lu Xun, Xu Zhimo, and Yu Dafu). Creators were chosen from a particular era and from the same domain, and were studied from their birth up to their first major achievement. The creators’ autobiographies, letters, diaries, and memoirs from their close family members and friends were analyzed of the life experiences and significant situational components that might facilitate their achievements.

Results: Content analysis was used for data analyzing. Findings suggested that Chinese creators have a number of shared characteristics in family, education, and friends. Moreover, a number of differences were also identified between Chinese and Western creators.

Discussion: The present study provides a better understanding of how creators’ early life experiences and the components among these experiences might cultivate their creativity, and gives insights into the differences between the Eastern and Western creators.