Flowers of Literature Series -- Selected Prose Works of Deng Tuo

Author: Deng Tuo, Wang Bisheng (editors)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-09-01
Features: This "Contemporary Prose Series" is a part of the "Hua Bai Prose Series." It selects renowned and outstanding works of prose writers from 1949 onwards, organized into individual volumes dedicated to each author. The selected authors are all famous prose writers of that era, and the works are carefully chosen to reflect the development of each author's prose writing. Each volume begins with an extensive critical preface, providing a brief introduction to the author's life and analyzing and evaluating their artistic characteristics, creative development, and influence, in conjunction with the selected works. The selected works are annotated with their original publication sources and dates as much as possible; necessary notes are also provided for parts that may be difficult to understand.
Deng Tuo (1912-1966), originally named Deng Zijian and Deng Yun, was born in 1912 into a family of traditional intellectuals in Minhou, Fujian. He had a deep love for literature and art from a young age. In 1930, at the age of 18, he joined the League of Left-Wing Social Scientists and was also admitted to the Communist Party of China the same year, actively engaging in revolutionary activities. In autumn 1937, he arrived in the liberated areas and successively served as the editor-in-chief of the Jin-Cha-Ji Daily and the director of the Jin-Cha-Ji Xinhua General Branch. After the liberation, he held positions such as the editor-in-chief of the People's Daily and the cultural and educational secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee. In 1961, Deng Tuo, at the request of the Beijing Evening News, launched the column Yanshan Yehua under the pen name Ma Nancong. As mentioned in the "Two Points of Explanation" at the beginning of the collection, the author stated, "In running this column, we will strive to appropriately meet the needs of workers, peasants, and soldiers with a certain level of education." In the "Preface" for the collection, he added, "We live in such a great era and are active in the Yan Mountains, where our ancestors' blood and sweat were spilled. We should not relax our efforts at any moment, but instead strive to learn and do better, so as not to disappoint our ancestors or future generations!"
Later, he collaborated with Wu Han and Liao Mosha to launch the column Sanjiaocun Zaji in the Frontline magazine. These essays were clear in stance, distinct in preference, incisive in criticism, concise yet engaging, and rich in meaning, earning widespread popularity and support from readers. Many newspapers and magazines across the country followed suit, establishing similar essay columns, which added vitality to the literary scene during the "Hundred Flowers and Hundred Schools" movement. Yanshan Yehua includes over 150 essays. However, Lin Biao, Jiang Qing, and others, driven by their conspiracy to dismantle the Beijing Municipal Committee and destabilize the nation, first targeted Sanjiaocun Zaji and Yanshan Yehua. The literary scoundrel Yao Wenjun unjustly accused the authors of Yanshan Yehua and Sanjiaocun Zaji, labeling Yanshan Yehua as "anti-Party black writings" and branding Sanjiaocun as an "anti-Party group," therebying a major that shook the nation. Deng Tuo took his own life in disgrace, becoming one of the victims of the literary purges launched by the "Gang of Four" in 1966.
Deng Tuo's essays were characterized by historical insight and analysis, focusing on the present while drawing on extensive references. They were subtle yet profound, appealing to both the educated and the masses.