Mayakovsky: The Literary Giant of the 20th Century

Author: Yue Fenglin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Mayakovsky was a resounding name in literary history. Born in Georgia in 1893, he was a rebel during his middle school years and became a Bolshevik in 1908. He celebrated the victory of the October Revolution in 1917, calling it "my revolution." During the tough times of the Soviet regime, he wrote poems and painted propaganda posters, steadfastly defending the young nation. As a poet, Mayakovsky was a radical leader of the revolutionary era. His famous works, such as Clouds in Pants, Lenin, and Good, were filled with "great love and great hatred," characterized by concise language and explosive passion, truly living up to his declaration of "hating all corpses and revering all life." As a playwright, Mayakovsky was no less impressive. His Religious Farses premiered on the first anniversary of the October Revolution, becoming a pioneering practice of "theater's October." Mayakovsky fell into depression, with his plays facing fierce criticism, and his personal exhibition celebrating his 20th anniversary of creative work also met with indifference—few visitors attended, and no prominent figures were present. He also suffered from a throat disease, and doctors advised him to stop performing readings as he once did. On the morning of April 14, 1930, just as actress Veronika had left Mayakovsky's studio, a gunshot was heard inside. Mayakovsky took his own life with a Browning pistol. He left behind a letter titled To Everyone: "My current death should not be blamed on anyone, nor should rumors be spread. The deceased strongly opposed this." In reality, the letter was written several days earlier, where he meticulously addressed unfinished matters, with his only regret being the struggle against his adversaries—"one must fight to the end."