From Ibsen’s Nora to Madame Mao “Acting” wife, Home Front, and Political Leaders PDF

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Professor Xiaomei CHEN...

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MARCH 8 From Ibsen’s Nora to Madame Mao: “Acting” wife, Home Front, and Political Leaders Reading: Sha Yexing, Jiang Qing and Her Husbands (1990) Interesting example of how drama is different from poetry & fiction Drama Speaking actors that directly address other characters and the audience Characters always present their own version of truth Gives us multiple perspectives on life, events, meaning of political life, meaning of interpreting history Every character has her own place to argue her own case ? Ex. Jiang Qing Originally written as a film Characters Jiang Qing Actress Most of the film she performed in were leftist (pro socialist) Trying to be Nora-like Came into power during the Cultural Revolution Mao is confused when she says to him “You never loved me” Critique against the patriarchal (male-dominating) society Nora Oppression from father Oppression from husband Tang Ma 2nd husband of Jiang Qing Mao ZeDong 1st husband of Jiang Qing Feeling lonely Jiang Qing had 3 conditions for marrying Mao 1. Jiang Qing is to be called “Mao’s comrade” until Mao and Zizhen officially get a divorce; Can’t be “Mao’s wife” 2. Jiang Qing is to not to mess w/politics for 20 years 3. Jiang Qing is to be his personal secretary Conversation w/bodyguard Clarifies to the bodyguard that Zizhen left before Jiang Qing came in Wives 1. Yang, Kaihui Questioned Mao’s methods in the revolution Problem Revolutionary women need to sacrifice for the love of their life even if they are betrayed 2. He Zizhen 3. Jiang Qing He, Zizhen Mao’s wife during the Red Army Period (pre-1930s) Got mad at Mao bc he was fooling around w/Jiang Qing Left for Soviet Union Woman warrior Gave birth to 6 of Mao’s children Xiao Feng Timeline Historically accurate 1958. Great Leap Forwards Sha Yexing was criticized for writing about the declining figures and the rise of the PRC ? Instead of the good things in the Great Leap Forwards Industry 1958. CCP Meeting Prologue The light Limelight Metaphor of being a director. In charge. Has power Shanghai, 1930 Tang Na and Jiang Qing are into leftist-leaning theatre/film activity Xia Yan, Under Shanghai Eaves Leftist piece Ibsen’s, Doll House How Jiang Qing became famous Yan’an, 1938 Married Mao and became the “happiest women in the world” Shanghai, 1930s Shanghai, 1937, Early Summer

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Yan’an, 1938, Fall Lushan, 1958, Summer Bizarre of moments in life and death People are trying to be understood Mao Jiang Qing In the end, she shoulders all of the guilt of the crimes that Mao has committed Lushan meeting Supposed to pull back the country’s economic situation A lot of people criticize Mao openly → Mao ousted a lot of people Did not admit mistakes → 1958-1966 Mao was on the pathway towards being a totalitarian leader Chances of democracy were slim Beijing, 1974 (Mao’s private life) Love Triangle Jiang Qing has to please Mao before she can see him Mao hooks up w/Xiao Feng (even younger girl) Beijing, Sept 1976 Mao’s death date: Sept 9, 1976 Gang of Four Jiang Qing was arrested as the leader of the Gang of Four Spoke up for herself against the culture that has turned against her bc she is a woman and an actress “Rotten Apple” Blamed for her man’s mistake Accused of bringing bad ideas to the leader → Ruining the country Shouldered crimes along Mao was disappointed after seeing He, Zhizhen bc she lost her beauty and bravery She smoked a lot Hands shook When Mao got news that Jiang Qing was coming, he sent away He, Shizhen She slammed the door Similar to Nora when she realized she was only in a Doll’s House To express anger towards

Play-Within-a-Play Innermost Play = Ibsen’s, A Doll House How the prologue started 2nd Innermost Play = Peking opera Jiang in Yanyan Fishermen’s Revenge 3rd play = Jiang Qing in court Subconscious about her real self (p.593) What she would’ve said if she was given the opportunity to speak up This is who I am. This is where I came from. There are real court proceedings intertwined in the drama Outermost Play = Jiang Qing and Her Husbands...