Red Studies: 1954

Author: Sun Yuming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-11-01
Features:
Editor's Recommendation: Truly reproduces the 1954 Redology Movement. The study of Redology has a long history, but none of the previous debates could match the 1954 "Criticism Campaign on the Research of Dream of the Red Chamber," which transcended the academic level to expand into various fields and became a major event influencing China's political and cultural life. Originally, when the "two little figures" published the articles "On A Brief Discussion of Dream of the Red Chamber and Others" and "Commentary on the Research of Dream of the Red Chamber," the nature of the debate remained at the academic level. However, under the personal guidance and leadership of the founding leader Mao Zedong, the nature of this academic debate was completely transformed, and the criticism then turned toward the "Hu Shi Thought" that had dominated Chinese academia for three decades. This book provides a comprehensive and objective review and reflection on this period of history. The author spent several years, using convincing and detailed historical materials and a relatively scientific writing approach, to objectively and comprehensively introduce the causes and consequences of the "Criticism Campaign on the Research of Dream of the Red Chamber" in the autumn of 1954. By reviewing and analyzing the typical figures, events, and statements of the intellectual community during this movement, the book points out that the expansion of the movement's scale, its renewed forms, and the active participation of the intellectual class are closely related. Facing the questions of history and the responsibilities of the present, intellectuals themselves should engage in profound reflection. The book is ambitious and progressive in its intent, with an objective and fair narrative. At the same time as it calls for (conscience) and responsibility, it provides valuable materials for the study of the history of academic thought in the early years of the People's Republic of China, especially the development history of "Redology."