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 in 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 flagbearer of the revolutionary era. His famous works, such as Clouds in Trousers, Lenin, and Good, were imbued with "great love, great hatred," characterized by concise language and explosive passion, truly living up to his declaration of "hating all corpses, revering all life." As a playwright, Mayakovsky was no less remarkable. His Religious Chorus premiered on the first anniversary of the October Revolution, becoming a pioneering practice of "theater's October." Mayakovsky fell into a low mood, not only were his plays heavily criticized, but his personal exhibition celebrating his 20th anniversary of creative work was also neglected, attracting few visitors and no notable figures in attendance. 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, this will 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 bitter end."