Research on prose in the Liberated Areas -- A new academic perspective

Author: Jiang Zhonglong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: Interview and report sketches of rural life in late 1945, after Sun Li became famous, he returned to the Jizhong Liberated Area. He not only practiced the spirit and regulations of the "Talks," but also maintained his independent observations and reflections. Sun Li went to Liu Village in Li County for rural work, then edited the popular comprehensive cultural magazine Pingyuan, publishing some (Biangzi opera), Daguzi (a traditional narrative form), and theoretical articles on popular literature. He also taught a class in Chinese at the eighth-grade school in Hejian. Later, he deeply immersed himself in rural areas, interviewing and reporting, writing a series of sketches on the new rural life. At the same time, he became a model of "intellectuals combining with workers and peasants" because of his "" (talking about everything) with workers and peasant cadres, "smoking and drinking together," and integrating with the elderly.
Sun Li's prose during this period, in addition to essays such as Commemorating the Party's Birthday, A New Tianjin, and The People's Carnival, sketches such as The Killing of Anti-Japanese Families, and essays like Salute to the Heroic Militiamen and Celebrating the Establishment of the Jizhong Writers' Association, as well as On "Stopping the War on the Spot," primarily focused on sketches that depicted the new ways of life and spirit of the rural areas in the Jizhong Liberated Zone. Through his independent observations and reflections, he identified some problems and proposed certain suggestions, paying special attention to the understanding and respect for humanism.
After being liberated and transformed, the girl Wang Xiangju, who used to be shy and easily blushed, became bold and assertive, persuading others and driving the organization forward. Her mother also became brave, calm, resilient, and insightful. She deeply pointed out that the tragedy of her and her husband's younger brother jointly raising children was a result of the poverty system. The female peasants, after the land reform, grew into dignified, robust, outspoken, and cheerful individuals, proclaiming the liberation of the poor through the act of lighting a "stand-up lamp" to people far and near. The previously deafening and enduring "old" (Lao Mian) also became smart, lively, brave, and adorable.
They knew well that the happiness of liberation was hard-won. If the revolutionary fighters on the front did not fight bravely and resolutely for self-defense, the fathers behind the lines would be cruelly killed by the enemy, and the newly gained free and happy life of the common people would be lost. Therefore, the distant cousin sent her husband on the front a stiff and gloomy photograph from her "Good Citizen Certificate," with a sorrowful face, urging him to fight bravely to protect the people and ensure they could live a free and happy life forever.
After liberation, the farmers greatly unleashed their productive enthusiasm: although the ice in Baiyangdian had not completely melted, the fishermen had already started repairing boats and weaving fishing nets. On the market day in Duancun, women carried mats early in the morning, eager to sell them, then went to the reed market to buy, untie, and process reeds, rushing to weave mats for the next market day. The progressive rich peasants also changed their lifestyles, getting rich through their own hard labor. Although the newly liberated farmers faced many difficulties when taking on village responsibilities, they possessed infinite courage and enthusiasm. The previously gluttonous and lazy people of Xin'an, even the girls around fifteen or sixteen, were now wiping boats. Labor brought cleanliness, health, unity, joy, self-respect, and respect for others to the whole family of Zhao Laoshuai. His daughter-in-law was beautiful, strong, and agile. The female labor model Liu Fawen was skilled in fieldwork, working day and night with diligence. She was also the village