Tradition and Modernity in Spring Silkworms Mao Dun, author of "Spring Silkworms", was a Chinese writer, critic, organizer, publisher and supporter of Chinese communism in 20th century. According to David Wang, Mao Dun was one of the most versatile Chinese literati of the May Fourth generation. Mao Dun was a proponent and practitioner of European naturalism. Motivated by history and politics, Mao Dun introduced Western literary ideas to China in his novels. As a leftist writer, Mao Dun focuses on the peasant's point of view and relies on his depiction of reality to evoke change. A good example of this writing style is the story "Spring Silkworms". “Spring Silkworms” is about the trials and tribulations of an old farmer named Lao Tong Bao and his family during the silkworm breeding season. The story raises the question of changes that have occurred in Chinese agricultural traditions due to modern influences. It is a tale that "represents Mao Dun's historical dialectic highlighting the confrontation between modern machinery and provincial craftsmanship; between Western know-how and native values; and between capitalist money and the rural struggle for cultural and socioeconomic autonomy." (Wang xviii) In my article I will highlight several comparisons between modernity and tradition. I will also analyze how modernity and tradition have been represented in history. Before I delve into my analysis of modernity and tradition in “Spring Silkworms,” I think I should provide a brief overview of my ideas about what constitutes modernity and tradition. It is my opinion that modernity is generally characterized as everything that has been involved in the process of modernization in the West. Probably the most distinctive factor of modernity would be the influences of Western capitalism. On the other hand, I define tradition as any old Chinese value, custom, or superstition not inhibited by Western ideology. The first example of modernity conflicting with tradition occurs when old man Tong Bao is sitting by the canal remembering his childhood. As he is reminded of his past, an oil-burning riverboat passes by to interrupt his train of thought. As the boat crosses the canal, Old Tong Bao can't help but feel filled with anger. As this boat passes, it disturbs the calm waters of the canal and fills the clean air with its smoke. The boat makes a farmer in his little boat toss from side to side and up and down like a seesaw.