Abstract
This paper examines the early contributions of Lin Shu (1852–1924) to political debates regarding how one could “save China” by focusing on his engagement with economic and industrial themes through his translation of G. Bruno's The Tour of France by Two Children published in 1907. Unlike most studies that focus on Lin Shu's literary conservatism and his translations’ impact on Chinese literature, the following analysis explores his less-recognized advocacy for practical education and economic development in the late Qing dynasty. By analyzing his Biography of Two Patriotic Children (Aiguo er tongzi zhuan), we argue that Lin Shu promoted industrial and commercial participation as essential for national salvation. This paper highlights how Lin Shu used juvenile literature not only as a didactic tool but also as a medium to foster a pragmatic approach to nationalistic and economic challenges, thereby contributing to a broader understanding of “ shiye” (a term encompassing for Lin Shu all economic activities, including how one concretely engages in work) in the context of China's modern political transformation. Using this approach, this study offers a nuanced view of Lin Shu's works, making him a figure who also contributed to the renewal of political discourses and the language used to debate economic nationalism in early twentieth-century China.
Published Version
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