Chapter 9: The Collision of Cultures
Bab 9: Benturan Budaya Lao Can menyaksikan konflik antara nilai-nilai tradisional Tiongkok dan ide-ide baru yang dibawa oleh orang asing, menciptakan ketegangan sosial.
In the late years of the Qing Dynasty, Western culture began to influence China. Traditional Chinese culture collided with Western culture, and this collision triggered profound social changes.
During his journey, Lao Can saw various aspects of this cultural collision. Some young people began to accept Western thoughts and pursue concepts such as freedom and equality. They cut off their queues, put on Western-style clothing, and their behavioral patterns also changed.
However, there were also many people who refused to accept Western culture. They believed that Chinese culture was excellent and should not be replaced by Western culture. They adhered to traditional lifestyles and opposed all tendencies toward Westernization.
This cultural collision caused division in society. The younger generation and the older generation developed huge differences in values, and family relationships also became tense as a result.
Lao Can believed that cultural collision was inevitable. He hoped that the Chinese people could take the essence and discard the dregs, creating a new culture that possessed both traditional advantages and modern elements.
He recorded these observations, hoping to provide inspiration for cultural development in later generations.