As you can review in the excerpt "The Modernization of Literature and Art", the Treaty of Versailles that marked the end of World War I sparked a new era in Chinese literature that was called The May Fourth Movement. Those who espoused it called for a literature that was not bound by the conventions of the traditional past and which was accessible to all people. In fact, the plays and novels we have been reading had already brought this sort of colloquial writing into the culture, however, now it was to become acceptable, one could own up to being the author of such writings. After the CCP took control of the country, Mao Zedong's view of the place of literature and art in society, seen in the lectures at Yen'an, took this vision and brought it under the control of the Party.

Autobiography:

This Floating Life

Both Shen Fu and his beloved wife, Yuan, were born in 1763 at the end of the Ch'ing/Qing dynasty. What examples of old, traditional China can be seen in this story?

Can you describe the kind of life these two led? Give examples of their pastimes and pleasures; what do they say about Shen Fu and Yuan?

There is a theme of citron and jasmine scents, aristocrats and peasants; how is this played out in the scene of Shen, Yuan, and the boatman's daughter Su Yin?

The story is set in Suzhou and Hangzhou, the part of the country the Southern Song claimed as its center. What are some descriptions of the environment there, how do you picture it?

A Bandit Chief

This excerpt is set in the first part of the 20th century, what was going on in Chinese history at this time that is reflected in the story?

What is the writer's attitude toward life?

The Chief of the title is an interesting character, how would you describe him? What does the incident of the woman chief reveal about him?

What sort of world is depicted here? Give examples.

Stories:

Spring Silkworms

This story is set in the 1930s; again, what is the historical background and what examples can you find in the story?

On the other hand, the sericulture described here is timeless, and the tension between the peasants' ancient way of life and immediate history defines part of the tension of the story. Explain.

What have you learned about silk production, what are the steps to the final product?

Comment on the part superstition plays in this traditional village culture.

Who are the main characters and what do they perhaps represent for Mao Dun, the author?

Short Stories by Lu Hs'un/Xun

Kong Yi Ch'i

Lu Xun was a journalist first and foremost. In this story who or what does the main character represent and what is Lu Xun showing us? Explain with examples.

A Madman's Diary

This story is very obviously influenced by Russian literature, especially Gogol; can you comment on this if you are familiar with Russian works?

What is the central metaphor of the story and how does Lu Xun use it?

How is the image of the moon used in the story?

What are some of the particulars of the story that point to themes Lu Xun's returns to over and over in his works?

Benediction

"Benediction" is written by Lu Hsun/Lu Xun, who was a journalist. It is clear that he has something to say to us, that he is writing this story to 'expose' a situation and comment. What so you think is his intent?

Describe the life of Hsiang-lin Sao and comment on it. How about the narrator, what do you think of him?

Who in this story represents 'old China'? How? What objects or situations also represent traditional society and what is the narrator's attitude toward them?

Without stretching the symbolism too far, who represents what in this story?

Mao's Talks on Literature at Yen'an

What purpose, according to Mao Zedong, should literature serve? Who should it serve?

Why would Mao want to control the production of art?

What is: "slave literature", Special literature", "dualism", "mass politics", "political warfare", "revolutionary" and "counterrevolutionary"? What is meant by the phrase "an ox for the proletariat"?

What place should the CCP have in the average Chinese person's life?

This document should frighten you; does it? If so, why?

Story from the Cultural Revolution:

The Smashing of the Dragon King

This is obviously a story written in tune with the CCP's directives on literature. How would you know? Give examples (look for word cues and lessons).

It is also, however, a very good, funny tale as well. What are a couple of your favorite examples of humour here? What do we learn about village life both traditional, and as affected by communism? How is the effect of these two systems on each other told for humour?

Again we encounter superstition; what are some, to modern sensibilities pointless beliefs, that flourish in this farming village context? What is the attitude of the narrator here? Think twice, it may be more nuanced than is first obvious.

Describe some of the best characters: Mr. Zodiac Mah, Inky-nob, Uncle Boils, Tiger Mah, Mah Ch'ang-shun.

What twists in this plot did you enjoy the most? Are there any scenes that stood out?

Movie: "To Live"

The story of this movie spans China from the 1930s to about the end of the 70s. What is the trajectory of history it describes?

What do the puppets represent for the director, Zhang Yimou, do you think?

The tone of the movie is hard to pin down, is it comic or tragic or both? Explain your view? What are some of the beautiful ironies suggested here?

Choose one scene that struck you and describe it, telling why you chose it.

How is the CCP handled? Remember the director lived and worked in China.

What is your reaction to the "cultural revolution" as depicted in the movie?