Also All by Shu Ting The Cultural Revolution

Also All �也是一切 by Shu Ting

The Cultural Revolution ➢Social and political movement in China ○ Lasted from 1966 to 1976 ○ Led by Chairman Mao Zedong ○ The official goal was to reinstate Communist and Maoist ideals. ○ Many people believed that the communist government would work well with the intellectuals and artists in China, but the government did not. ○ This led many people to become disillusioned from the communist government, being forced to isolation in the countryside.

Shu Ting ○ Real name was Gong Peiyu (龔佩瑜 ) ○ Born in 1952 Jinjiang, Fujian, China. ○ At the age of 8, she was forced by the government to work at cement factory, textile mill, and light bulb factory. ○ Her father was accused of Ideological Nonconformity, and exiled to the countryside. The nature in the countryside inspired her to write more. Therefore her writings mostly carries a nature theme. ○ Became a professional writer in poetry in 1969 and was first published in 1978 ○ She was asked to join the official Chinese Writers' Association, and won the National Outstanding Poetry

Bei Dao ○ Was born in 1949, right when the People’s Republic of China was being formed. ○ He joined the Red Guard but soon left because he disagreed with the communist government. ○ Dao was sent to the countryside to work, where he began to embrace his artistic side. ○ He began writing poetry in 1969, published by the magazine jintian. ○ He would eventually form the group the Misty Poets, becoming the most famous member. ○ Bei Dao participated in the Tiananmen protests in 1976.

Misty Poet ● Founded by Bei Dao and Mang Ke ● 朦��人 (Ménglóng Shīrén) translated into “Obscure Poetry. ” ● Obscure poetry has deep meanings that not many people understand it thoroughly. ● A Group of 20 th century Chinese poets who reacted against the restrictions on art during the Cultural Revolution. ● Carries influential messages and bold language ● Their works are based on the idea of Chinese Writer Association ● Founded in 1949, was initially named China National Literature Workers Association. ● Non-governmental organization composed of nationwide associations of writers and artists.

Purpose ● Direct: - There is hope and promise that better things will come, despite how horrible and tragic things are. ● Indirect: - Not every dilemma is unconquerable. The idea of Yin-Yang: there are good and bad in the world, sometimes a little bad balances the good and vice versa.

All By Bei Dao All is fated, all love buried in the heart, all is cloudy, all history prisoned in a dream, all an endless beginning, all hope hedged with doubt, all a search for what vanishes, all faith drowned in lamentation. all joys grave, Every explosion heralds an instant of stillness, all griefs tearless, every death reverberates forever. -Bei Dao every speech a repetition, every meeting a first encounter,

Also All Not all trees are felled by storms. Not every cry for help is silenced, Not every seed finds barren soil. nor every loss beyond recall. Not all the wings of dream are broken, Not every chasm spells disaster. nor is all affection doomed Not only the weak will be brought to their knees, to wither in a desolate heart. nor every soul be trodden under. No, not all is as you say. It won’t all end in tears and blood. Today is heavy with tomorrow— Not all flames consume themselves, the future was planted yesterday. shedding no light on other lives. Hope is a burden all of us shoulder Not all starts announce the night though we might stumble under the load. -Shu Ting and never dawn. Not every song will drift past every ear and heart. No, not all is as you say.

Literacy Device ● Refrain: “ No, not all is as you say. ” -- Used twice Emphasized her disagreement with Bei Dao’s point of view in All about everything is set in stone and unchangeable. ● Imagery: ● Personification: “ Not all flames consume themselves. ” “ Not every chasm spells disaster. ” Flames and Chasm do not have personality or actions, but Shu Ting gave them souls. “Not all the wings of dream are broken, “Not all trees are felled by storms” nor is all affection doomed Using natural law as an example on the surface. to wither in a desolate heart. ” However, below she meant not everyone’s pride The hope and dreams are neither affected nor is crushed by the Red Guard. broken in the weakened heart.

Literacy Device ● Repetition: ● Metaphor: “ Not every tree…” “Today is heavy with tomorrow -- “ Not all seeds. . ” the future was planted yesterday. ” “ Not all wings…” Hinting the better future is planted since today and there are hope for better things. Shu Ting repeatedly used “Not all” in most the stanza with an argument that through tragics and negative events, there is still some sort of positive outcome.

Tone and Theme ● Theme: - Adversity in our lives is unalterable , but, always take the best out of the bad. - Half cup of water theory. ● Tone: ○ encouragement, optimism, and exceptions.

Analysis ● People were oppressed by the government’s restrictions, therefore it affected people’s mindset in negative ways. ● Bei Dao’s poem “All” shows us about the pessimistism in an artistic way, he believed that because reality happens in present, as a result, there is no past or future. ● Contrastion between Bei Dao's and Shu Ting. ● Encouraging others to keep trying, because their voice will eventually be heard, their disasters will be settled, their loss will be recouped. ● Freedom of speech is limited. ● Her childhood spent in countryside has an effect on her language. ● Being a woman in “The Misty Poet” was a challenge.

“Also All” Quiz 1. Bei Dao served in the during the Cultural Revolution. A. Red party. B. B. Republic Guard. C. C. Red Guard. D. D. People’s Republic. 1. From which famous group created by Bei Dao did Shu Ting become an influential poet? A. Misty Poets B. B. Influential Poets C. C. Powerful Poets

“Also All" Quiz 3. Why did Shu Ting have to leave for country side: A. For her writing experience B. Her mom was against communism C. Her dad was accused of Ideological Nonconformity D. To work at the factory 4. For How long did the Social and political movement last in China? A. 6 years. B. B. 10 years. C. C. 9 years. D. D. 12 years

“Also All" Quiz 6. What is the moral of Also all? A. To have courage and never give up B. To be pessimistic C. To be disappointed 7. True/ False. The Poem contains no meter 8. Why is Ting being a woman during that time a challenge? A. Because she's a wife of a wealthy man B. Because communist does not favor females C. Because the social does not accept the woman being active in other things.

“Also All" Quiz 9. How is her childhood spent in country side affected her career? A. She got closer to nature, and thought about writing about nature B. She got closer to nature, and thought about using nature for poetry C. She got closer to her dad, and he inspired her to write 10. What is Bei Dao's point of view that’s different from Shu Ting's A. Bei Dao supported destructive Ideology B. Bei Dao supported the idea of being neutral C. Bei Dao supported optimism D. Bei Dao supported the idea of things are set in stone, no change