On October 28, 2024, Professor Zhang Rui, Ph.D. in Literature, doctoral supervisor, and Vice Dean of the School of Foreign Studies at Jilin University, was invited to deliver a special lecture titled “The Literary Creation and Criticism of Carlos Fuentes” to faculty members and students of the Spanish Department. Professor Yan Guodong, Dean of the School of Foreign Studies (SFS) at Nankai University, attended the lecture, introduced the Spanish Department at Nankai University to Professor Zhang, and encouraged students and faculty members to learn from Professor Zhang. Dr. Gu Jiawei, director of the Spanish Department, delivered a welcoming speech. Professor Feng Yujing from the School of Literature at Nankai University, and teachers from the Spanish Department Dr. Gong Yunjie, Dr. Li Xinghua, Dr. Mi Tian, Dr. Liang Jiayi, and Dr. Xiao Yin, together with students from the Spanish Department, attended the lecture. The lecture began with an overview of Fuentes' life and provided an analysis of the renowned Mexican literary giant’s works across various periods.
Professor Zhang first presented Fuentes’ birth, upbringing, marriage, family background, and educational experience, comparing him with other prominent Latin American literary figures of his time. She concisely introduced his literary works in relation to his personal life experiences.
Professor Zhang emphasized that Fuentes was not only a prominent novelist but also a distinguished literary critic, playwright, and essayist. She discussed his notable novels in relation to Mexican revolutionary novels and explored how Fuentes engaged with Mexican society and history, analyzing his approach to balancing the societal and pure literary qualities in his works. Using the novels The Death of ArtemioCruz, Aura, and Terra Nostra as examples, she illustrated Fuentes’ methods of innovating, inheriting, and recovering tradition. Professor Zhang deeply analyzed how Fuentes transcended temporal and spatial barriers between literature, history, and reality to integrate them and create a new literary reality, achieving an aesthetic marked by uncertainty and inclusiveness.
At the conclusion of the lecture, Professor Feng Yujing shared her insights on the common characteristics of postmodern literary figures. Professor Zhang responded to questions from students and engaged in extended discussions related to the lecture content.
The lecture was insightful and accessible, showcasing the profound historical heritage and cultural legacy of Mexican literature. It not only deepened students’ understanding of Spanish-language literature but also sparked their enthusiasm for language learning and exploration of Spanish literature.
