Ye Shengtao's Prose

Author: Ye Shengtao
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2000-06-01
Features: Realism is a characteristic of Ye Shengtao's prose. Ai Ying praised his works, saying, "Every small piece of his is truly no less than a very successful and beautiful poem of life." As a master of realism in the history of new literature, Ye Shengtao strongly advocated that literature should reflect life and depict the "blood and tears" lives of common people. He was particularly skilled at portraying the lives of women, children, and petty bourgeoisie. "I and He" is a vivid portrayal of mother-son affection: under the bright moonlight, a young son plays in his mother's arms; unexpectedly, the glass ball in the child's hand hits his mother's face. Instantly, pain, tears, crying, smiling, kissing, and caressing burst forth between the mother and son. The work demonstrates an ideal state of life—love, beauty, and light. "The Lute Song of Early Dawn" expresses deep sympathy for a group of young women forced to sing for a living. Realism is a characteristic of Ye Shengtao's prose. Ai Ying praised his works, saying, "Every small piece of his is truly no less than a very successful and beautiful poem of life." As a master of realism in the history of new literature, Ye Shengtao strongly advocated that literature should reflect life and depict the "blood and tears" lives of common people. He was particularly skilled at portraying the lives of women, children, and petty bourgeoisie. "I and He" is a vivid portrayal of mother-son affection: under the bright moonlight, a young son plays in his mother's arms; unexpectedly, the glass ball in the child's hand hits his mother's face. Instantly, pain, tears, crying, smiling, kissing, and caressing burst forth between the mother and son. The work demonstrates an ideal state of life—love, beauty, and light. "The Lute Song of Early Dawn" expresses deep sympathy for a group of young women forced to sing for a living.