Prof. Hou Shen from Peking University gave a lecture in History Department
Professor Hou Shen from Peking University delivered a captivating lecture at the History Department on May 12th. The lecture, titled "Foreign Land: Fears in the 1930s," garnered great enthusiasm from the audience. We are delighted to present a summary of the lecture, with Professor Hou's gracious permission.
During the lecture, Professor Hou explored the profound impact of crises on fostering empathy between Chinese and Americans. She specifically delved into the reasons why the works of Pearl S. Buck, particularly "The Good Earth," became immensely popular among the American public in the 1930s. Buck's writings vividly depicted the social unrest and agrarian struggles in China, reflecting the rapidly changing landscape of the country. "The Good Earth" was published and later adapted into a film during a time when Americans themselves were grappling with a series of crises, including the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl.
Another notable literary work discussed was "The Grapes of Wrath," which shed light on the experiences of Midwestern American farmers during the 1930s. Its author, John Steinbeck, attributed the Dust Bowl to the detrimental effects of capitalism. Environmental historian Donald Worster further examined the interplay between capitalism, the Great Depression, and the Dust Bowl. He argued that farmers, industries, and federal agencies all shared responsibility for implementing excessively aggressive agricultural practices, resulting in soil depletion and erosion.
The 1930s witnessed a convergence of global crises, encompassing economic downturn, climatic disasters, and the looming threat of war. Given the similar hardships faced by both Chinese and American societies, a shared sense of fear emerged. Professor Hou emphasized the importance of adopting a "planetary history" perspective to gain insights into human history. Such a perspective not only underscores the inextricable link between human and environmental history but also encourages a reevaluation of the empathy that arises between people from different lands.
