Poetry of New China (1949-1966)

This research offers new interpretation and in-depth analysis of Chinese poetry from 1949 to 1966. It argues that in this socialist era, individualism was no longer the central concern of poetry, and subjectivity had to submit to the collective consciousness, gradually succumbing to the national chant of the communist rhetoric. Nevertheless, this essay also argues that, whilst many poets had a firm faith in the inevitable proletarian victory, i.e. the realisation of communism, to be concerned with the suffering of the common people and the fate of the nation was also part of Chinese cultural and intellectual traditions. Poets were considered more sensitive than ordinary folks to social issues, and were traditionally meant to provide a voice for the afflicted, the poor, the weak and the voiceless. Some examples analysed in this chapter evidence the resilience of the spirit to maintain sanity, scepticism and critical thinking in a crazy environment of fanaticism.