Selected Poems of 20th Century China (Revised Edition)

Author: Shen Qingli (Editor)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: The occurrence of the May Fourth New Culture Movement marked a new era for poetry, transforming both its content and form, aligning with the intellectual movement of the May Fourth Enlightenment. In the newly born Chinese poetry of that time, love poems expressing individual liberation and calling for freedom and light held significant weight. Works such as Shen Yinmo's Moonlit Night, Zhou Zuoren's The Little River, and Liu Banruo's How Can I Forget Her are representative examples. During the early stages of the emergence and development of new poetry, Hu Shi and Guo Moruo made substantial contributions. Hu Shi published China's first modern vernacular poetry collection, A Collection of Attempts (Changshijiji), in 1920, which primarily conveyed the spirit of self-worth and individual liberation, exerting a profound influence. Guo Moruo, on the other hand, was a pivotal figure in the history of Chinese new poetry. His poetry collection Goddess embodied unrestrained rebellious spirit, strong self-awareness, and a romantic style, shaping an era and playing a powerful melody of the times' spirit. Goddess fully expressed the poet's condemnation of the old era, his pursuit and celebration of freedom and individual liberation, and was imbued with patriotic fervor, calling for the dawn of a new beginning. In terms of art, Goddess forged a bold, unrestrained, and majestic style, marking a significant liberation of artistic form. Poems such as The Phoenix's Rebirth (Fenghuang Niechai), The Heaven Dog (Tian Gou), Mother Earth (Di Qiu, Wo Muqin), and Coal in the Furnace (Luzhongmei) are celebrated masterpieces, with The Phoenix's Rebirth in particular symbolizing the demise of the old era and the birth of a new China in the poet's vision through the legend of the phoenix's death and rebirth. It stands as a representative work of Chinese new poetry. Poetry serves as a vital carrier and expression of the human spirit, as well as a beacon that enlightens minds and sharpens wisdom. At the same time, it transcends utilitarianism and worldly constraints, forever belonging to those who yearn for youth, fantasy, and beauty. As vibrant young people, we should align ourselves with new poetry. To enrich our souls, dear classmates, let us explore the world of poetry.