Chinese Journal of Literary Criticism

No.2, 2020

On the “Cao Yu Phenomenon”

(Abstract)

Xu Zuhua

“Cao Yu phenomenon” is a generalization of the characteristics and problems reflected in Cao Yu’s playwriting and works, which are difficult to explain. Among them, the “Thunderstorm phenomenon”, the contradiction between Cao Yu’s life course and creation process, the striking difference between his depiction of new and old life as well as his exposing the dark and praising the bright, are three representative phenomena in “Cao Yu phenomenon”. Focusing on these three phenomena, and based on the corresponding materials and reflections through reading, we can make an in-depth discussion of these “phenomena”, so as to deepen the understanding of the characteristics of Cao Yu’s playwriting.