Poets of the Chinese revolution : Chen Duxiu, Zheng Chaolin, Chen Yi, Mao Zedong

How poetry and revolution meshed in Red China The Chinese Revolution, which fought its way to power seventy years ago, was a complex and protracted event in which groups and individuals with different hopes and expectations for the Revolution competed, although in the end Mao came to rule over the others. Its veterans included many poets, four of whom feature in this anthology. All wrote in the classical style, but their poetry was no less diverse than their politics. Chen Duxiu, led China’s early cultural awakening before founding the Communist Party in 1921. Mao led the Party to power in 1949. Zheng Chaolin, Chen Duxiu’s disciple and, like him, a convert to Trotskyism, spent thirty-four years in jail, first under the Nationalists and then under their Maoist nemeses. The guerrilla leader Chen Yi wrote flamboyant and descriptive poems in mountain bivouacs or the heat of battle. Poetry has played a different role in China, and in Chinese Revolution, from in the West—it is collective and collaborative. But in life, the four poets in this collection were entangled in opposition and even bitter hostility towards one another. Together, the four poets illustrate the complicated relationship between Communist revolution and Chinese cultural tradition. The four poets, whose work is collected in English translation here alongside the Chinese originals, all wrote in the classical style, but their poetry was no less diverse than their politics. Chen Duxiu led Chinas early cultural awakening before founding the Communist Party in 1921. Mao Zedong led the party to power in 1949. Zheng Chaolin , Chen Duxius disciple and, like him, a convert to Trotskyism, spent thirty-four years in jail, first under the Nationalist regime and then under their Maoist nemeses. The guerrilla leader Chen Yi wrote flamboyant and descriptive poems in mountain bivouacs and in the heat of battle. While poetry for sure has, as T. S. Eliot noticed, a stubborn relationship to nationalism, the list of revolutionaries who are also poets is long and robust. This book collects the work of four Chinese poet-revolutionaries Chen Duxiu, Zheng Chaolin, Chen Yi, and Mao Zedong. All of them were using poetrys long traditional formalism and conventions so as to wrestle with and better understand the upheavals of the Communist revolution. The complications of their work have for too long been overlooked in the endless debates about poetry and politics that define our contemporary moment. There is much that is crucial in these beautifully done translations. Juliana Spahr , author of Well Then There Now How Poetry And Revolution Meshed In Red China. This Is A Book Of Poems By Four Veteran Chinese Revolutionaries. Chen Duxiu Led China's Early Cultural Awakening Before Founding The Communist Party In 1921. Mao Led The Party To Power In 1949. Zheng Chaolin, Chen Duxiu's Disciple And, Like Him, A Convert To Trotskyism, Spent 34 Years In Jail, First Under The Nationalists And Then Under Mao. The Guerrilla Chen Yi Wrote Poems In Mountain Bivouacs Or The Heat Of Battle. All Wrote In The Classical Style, Which Mao Zedong Officially Proscribed, Though He And Other Leaders Kept Using It. Poetry, Especially Classical Poetry, Plays A Different Role In China, And In Chinese Revolution, From In The West - It Is Collective And Collaborative. The Four Poets Were Entangled With One Another In Various Ways. Chen Duxiu Inspired Mao, Though Mao Later Denounced Him. Mao And Zheng Joined The Leadership Under Chen Duxiu In The 1920s, Though Mao Later Gaoled Zheng. The Maverick Chen Yi Was Zheng's Associate In France And Mao's Comrade-in-arms In China, But He Clashed With The Maoists In The Cultural Revolution. Together, The Four Poets Illustrate The Complex Relationship Between Communist Revolution And Chinese Cultural Tradition-- Edited By Gregor Benton And Feng Chongyi ; Translated By Gregor Benton. Translated From The Chinese. "How poetry and revolution meshed in Red China. This is a book of poems by four veteran Chinese revolutionaries. Chen Duxiu led China's early cultural awakening before founding the Communist Party in 1921. Mao led the Party to power in 1949. Zheng Chaolin, Chen Duxiu's disciple and, like him, a convert to Trotskyism, spent 34 years in jail, first under the Nationalists and then under Mao. The guerrilla Chen Yi wrote poems in mountain bivouacs or the heat of battle. All wrote in the classical style, which Mao Zedong officially proscribed, though he and other leaders kept using it. Poetry, especially classical poetry, plays a different role in China, and in Chinese revolution, from in the West - it is collective and collaborative. The four poets were entangled with one another in various ways. Chen Duxiu inspired Mao, though Mao later denounced him. Mao and Zheng joined the leadership under Chen Duxiu in the 1920s, though Mao later gaoled Zheng. The maverick Chen Yi was Zheng's associate in France and Mao's comrade-in-arms in China, but he clashed with the Maoists in the Cultural Revolution. Together, the four poets illustrate the complex relationship between Communist revolution and Chinese cultural tradition"-- Provided by publisher