Chapter Three. Contradictions and conflicts

Abstract

The conflicts within literary circles during left-wing literature period were initiated by contemporary political and literary issues, but also by the extension and continuance of contradictions and grievances. In the 1920s and 1930s, there were complex contradictions within literary circles. Initially, this was due to differing literary opinions and the interests of literary groups; but, later, upon entry of political interests, the conflicts became more acute. During the 1950s and 1960s, broad and complex contradictions surrounded the establishment of literary norms. In most cases, these contradictions regularly found expression in the formulation of policy, the explication of theory, and in literary writing and criticism. Left-wing writers had to deal with three historical incidents in twentieth century literature: the literary revolution; socialist realism produced in the Soviet Union; and Mao Zedong's ‹Talks› and liberated area literature. Keywords: left-wing literature period; Left-wing writers; literary norms; Mao Zedong; May Fourth literary revolution; socialist realism