Repression In Mao Zedong's Rule And The Chinese Cultural Movement

In Chinese literature, there are prominent themes of repression that arose during the time period of Mao Zedong’s rule and the Chinese Cultural Movement. During this movement, the original Chinese culture was repressed by communists who attempted to reform society. Those who resisted these reforms were murdered. These events set the stage for the theme of repression to make its way into Chinese literature. To reflect this theme, Chinese authors used the literary devices of visual consistency, conflict between two forces, and allusion to actual events.
The first literary device used was visual consistency of lines and stanzas in poems. In some Chinese poems, consistency was used to force a reader to read in between the lines. Rather that watch words undulate across a page, the consistent visual structure creates the need to read …show more content…
For instance, allusion was used to reference the repressive tendencies of the Chinese Cultural Movement. In this time period, communists were beginning the violent remake of Chinese society. “Many languages fly around the world, producing sparks where they collide, sometimes of hate, sometimes of love.” (Dao 146) The languages refer to ideas accepted by most of the Chinese, but not all. Resistance authors too used allusion to reference the horrors of both the Cultural Movement and its creator, Mao Zedong. First, with the Cultural Movement, resistance authors used allusion to refer to themselves. “A dandelion...wind carried away seeds.” (Dao 146) This dandelion is the resistance, who spread their ideas [seeds] to those who have not conformed. Next, Mao Zedong was referenced using allusion. Some authors used allusion to remind readers of Mao 's repressive abilities. “His body went limp...offending leg.” (Feng 156) The history of China was about to be wiped from the people. All three literary devices helped to convey the theme of repression of the Chinese