Internet Literature: Freedom or Depravity

IN almost all bookstores and newsstands of different kinds and sizes, Internet literary works have begun to occupy the most prominent places. More than 20 pieces of Internet literature have become best sellers in China. Titles such as First Intimate Contact, Farewell to Weian and the Old Era of Cohabitation compete for your attention. Mian Mian's novel entitled Sugar is no longer considered the fad of Internet literature, but has now began to typify the creators of Internet literature. Mian Mian gained popularity in China during the summer of 1999 as discussion on Internet literature increased. This popularity was fueled last spring when critics published comments on the "Beauty Writer" and "Star Writer." Indeed the media world has been burning with an indistinguishable passion for the authors of the new style literature such as Mian Main. Internet Literature Compared to Karaoke The Internet now abounds with websites that cater to Internet literature. Partial statistics show that as many as 350 websites related to Internet literature have been established and the literature works on these sites are just as countless. Although the volume of works is great, the themes are most common, that of love stories. Some have joked that Internet literature would hardly exist if the works about love were to be removed. The general opinion on Internet literature is quite varied. Comments about Internet literature range the gamut from its content being nauseating to its new expressive form challenging traditional forms of writing. For example, despite the title Sugar, Mian Mian's work focuses on the sour aspects of life by depicting the personal experiences of a girl from a broken family. As the story unfolds, it exposes the girl's vagrant life style, love affairs, drug addiction, complicated sexual life and eventual suicide. Previously such subjects have not been the focus of traditional Chinese literature. It's not surprising that readers are often dumb struck not only by the subject material but also by the author's graphic and unrestrained descriptions. The new Internet literature form is typified by free, emotional, and improvisational expression. The sentences are normally brief being broken into short phrases. In contrast, traditional writing styles employee the use of commas to connect phrases into a single comprehensive sentence. This different style provides readers with a surprising experience for any that try to follow the train of thought in "New Human" or dare take a ride on the "Express Train." Internet works, such as Sugar, have drawn universal criticism due to their style and contents. Some complain that these new works lack profound content other than their emotional outpouring; others say that the language of free expression is so uncontrolled that it almost becomes degenerative. One, however, would find that Sugar presents the most extreme features of Internet literature. Most writers of Internet literature express their inner world, exposing their inclinations. Although many of these writers are around 20, it seems in the future many younger writers will be attracted to the new style. Writers of traditional literature have not become overly concerned about this new genre of writing. In Chen Cun's viewpoints published in the Yangzi Evening News, he commented that creation of Internet literature is more like that of Karaoke, serving as good opportunities for aspiring writers to try out their talent. The goal of Internet literature, like Karaoke, seeks to please only the author himself not others. Just as many arts and cultural activities have originated from game playing, this role-playing may in the future lead to greater works of literature. The Internet provides opportunities for everyone to create personal literary works, freely exchange views or to just arbitrarily express their own opinions. Anyone can search for what he or she is interested in reading. Wang Shuo, a famous contemporary writer, said that no one, n