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Loose cannon Han Han has got into trouble again. He is being lambasted for criticizing the literary giants of the last century. In a television talk show, Han stated that the "writing styles of Bing Xin, Ba Jin and Mao Dun are terrible". The avalanche of disapproval can be summed up with a few points: It is ignorance personified to speak ill of these towering figures; and more, it is an attack against Chinese culture. Han is a young writer; he should assume modesty and respect older generations. He should not publicize his personal judgment using a public platform. Literary masters are not to be talked about and commented in this fashion. They symbolize the highest achievement in literature and must be held in awe. For me, Han's comment - I don't see it as an "attack" - should be approached in two ways: First, does he have a right to comment on nationally recognized masters in one negative swoop? Second, is what he said right? Or more accurately, do you agree with what he said? On the first point, I believe that anyone has the right to offer his observations and criticisms of any writer as long as the writer is published and the commentator has read this writer's work. His comments may not be conclusive if he has read only a sampling. The tradition to put a great writer on a pedestal and shield him from damaging remarks may be well-intentioned but ultimately harmful to a healthy environment of literary appreciation. Once you hold certain people or certain works above the sea level of normal discussion, you turn them into "saints" depleted of the saltiness and nutrients of seawater. Pretty soon, they are fossilized into specimens to be gazed at from afar. | 
