An Analysis of Cao Yu’s Creative Conception of Female Images Transformation in His Plays
Abstract
As the Pioneer of Chinese Drama, Cao Yu has contributed a series of distinctive and representative female images to contemporary Chinese literature. However, it exists a great transformation in female image creation and aesthetics in his plays. Divided from 1938, modern women represented by Fanyi, Chen Bailu and Hua Jinzi full of passion for life were celebrated by Cao Yu during the pre-time, while traditional women with classic Chinese flavors got well recognized by him during the post-time, such as Doctor Ding, Sufang and Ruijue. The transformation related closely to his creative conception, reflecting Cao Yu’s re-choice of his aesthetic interests, values, and cultural stance. This article analyzed Cao Yu’s creative conception from the differences between his two periods of female image creation and aesthetics before and after 1938. In recent years, feminism has been on the rise in China. Therefore, it will not only be beneficial to the Chinese women’s liberation movement, but also to the world’s women’s liberation movement.
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