Abstract
Bertolt Brecht exemplifies the deep engagement of of German writers with Chinese culture in the twentieth century. Upon his return to the GDR in his later years, Brecht's appreciation of Chinese literature focused particularly on Yan'an literature. In addition to reading Yan'an literature and writings published overseas, he wrote and staged plays about contemporary China. After the partial publication of Mao Zedong's “Talks at the Yan'an Forum on Literature and Art” in a German journal in 1951, Brecht was inspired to advocate for new principles for German writers and artists. Under his direction, the Berliner Ensemble staged the Chinese one-act play The Grain, which addressed the theme of resistance against Japanese aggression. The play not only provided historical context on China's war of resistance against Japan but also incorporated ancient Taoist philosophy to illuminate the wisdom of modern Chinese people, becoming an important resource for Brecht to construct the theory of “dialectical theatre.” The impact of Yan'an literature on Brecht is evident in his play Turandot, where implicit references to Mao Zedong, the Land Reform, and revolutionary triumph reveal the author's optimism and confidence in China's future. Brecht's affinity with the representations of people in Yan'an literature ultimately made it a valuable resource in his later years.
Keywords
Bertolt Brecht, Yan'an literature, Mao Zedong, Sino-German literary and cultural relations
First Page
98
Last Page
107
Recommended Citation
Bo, Yidi. 2025. "An Analysis of Bertolt Brecht's Reception and Transformation of Yan'an Literature." Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art 45, (3): pp.98-107. https://tsla.researchcommons.org/journal/vol45/iss3/10
