Thunderstorm (play)
Encyclopedia
Thunderstorm is a play by the Chinese dramatist Cao Yu
. It is one of the most popular dramatic Chinese works of the period prior to the Japanese invasion
of China in 1937.
.
Shortly after its publication, a production of the play was mounted in Jinan
, and later, in 1935, in Shanghai
and in Tokyo
, both of which were well received. In 1936, Thunderstorm debuted in Nanjing
, with Cao Yu himself acting in the lead role.
Specifically, the plot of Thunderstorm centers on one family's psychological and physical destruction as a result of incest
, as perpetrated at the hands of its morally depraved and corrupt patriarch
, Zhou Puyuan.
In particular, Thunderstorm bears a strong resemblance in plot, themes, characterization, pacing and tone to the plays of Henrik Ibsen
. For instance, Thunderstorm shares with Ibsen's Ghosts
elements such as a respected patriarch who has, in fact, impregnated his servant, a romance between his children (who do not know that they are half-siblings), and a climactic revelation of this situation in the play.
More generally, the book relates to the genre of classical tragedy, particularly the Oedipus
cycle and other plays of Sophocles
.
University Press of the Pacific published an English translation in 2001.
and another in Hong Kong
, that were almost coincidental versions of one another. The latter production, made in 1957, co-starred a young Bruce Lee
in one of his few non-fighting roles (Lei Yu, dir. Wui Ng). The 2006 movie Curse of the Golden Flower
, directed and written by Zhang Yimou
, sets the same play in the imperial courts of the late Tang Dynasty
.
Cao Yu
Cao Yu , born as Wan Jiabao , was a renowned Chinese playwright, often regarded as China's most important of the 20th century. His most well-known works are Thunderstorm , Sunrise and Peking Man...
. It is one of the most popular dramatic Chinese works of the period prior to the Japanese invasion
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
of China in 1937.
History
Thunderstorm was first published in the literary magazine, Four Months of LiteratureFour Months of Literature
Four Months of Literature is a publication founded in 1934 by Chinese intellectuals, Zheng Zhenduo and Jin Yi.It was notable for publishing such works as Thunderstorm, the groundbreaking play by dramatist Cao Yu....
.
Shortly after its publication, a production of the play was mounted in Jinan
Jinan
Jinan is the capital of Shandong province in Eastern China. The area of present-day Jinan has played an important role in the history of the region from the earliest beginnings of civilisation and has evolved into a major national administrative, economic, and transportation hub...
, and later, in 1935, in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
and in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, both of which were well received. In 1936, Thunderstorm debuted in Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
, with Cao Yu himself acting in the lead role.
Subject Matter and Themes
The subject matter of Thunderstorm is the complex relationship between the members of two households - one upper class and wealthy, the other low class and poor.Specifically, the plot of Thunderstorm centers on one family's psychological and physical destruction as a result of incest
Incest
Incest is sexual intercourse between close relatives that is usually illegal in the jurisdiction where it takes place and/or is conventionally considered a taboo. The term may apply to sexual activities between: individuals of close "blood relationship"; members of the same household; step...
, as perpetrated at the hands of its morally depraved and corrupt patriarch
Patriarch
Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. The system of such rule of families by senior males is called patriarchy. This is a Greek word, a compound of πατριά , "lineage, descent", esp...
, Zhou Puyuan.
Historical significance
Although it is undisputed that the prodigious reputation achieved by Thunderstorm was due in large part to its scandalous public airing of the topic of incest, and many people have pointed out not inconsiderable technical imperfections in its structure, Thunderstorm is nevertheless considered to be a milestone in China's modern theatrical ascendancy. Even those who have questioned the literary prowess of Cao Yu, for instance, the noted critic C. T. Hsia, admit that the popularization and consolidation of China's theatrical genre is fundamentally owed to the first works of Cao Yu.Comparative Perspective
Thunderstorm bears comparison with other works of ancient and contemporary drama, particularly drama dealing with the way the past haunts the present.In particular, Thunderstorm bears a strong resemblance in plot, themes, characterization, pacing and tone to the plays of Henrik Ibsen
Henrik Ibsen
Henrik Ibsen was a major 19th-century Norwegian playwright, theatre director, and poet. He is often referred to as "the father of prose drama" and is one of the founders of Modernism in the theatre...
. For instance, Thunderstorm shares with Ibsen's Ghosts
Ghosts (play)
Ghosts is a play by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. It was written in 1881 and first staged in 1882.Like many of Ibsen's better-known plays, Ghosts is a scathing commentary on 19th century morality....
elements such as a respected patriarch who has, in fact, impregnated his servant, a romance between his children (who do not know that they are half-siblings), and a climactic revelation of this situation in the play.
More generally, the book relates to the genre of classical tragedy, particularly the Oedipus
Oedipus the King
Oedipus the King , also known by the Latin title Oedipus Rex, is an Athenian tragedy by Sophocles that was first performed c. 429 BCE. It was the second of Sophocles's three Theban plays to be produced, but it comes first in the internal chronology, followed by Oedipus at Colonus and then Antigone...
cycle and other plays of Sophocles
Sophocles
Sophocles is one of three ancient Greek tragedians whose plays have survived. His first plays were written later than those of Aeschylus, and earlier than or contemporary with those of Euripides...
.
English translations
Thunderstorm was published in 1958 in an English translation by Wang Tso-liang and A.C. Barnes by Foreign Languages Press (Beijing).University Press of the Pacific published an English translation in 2001.
Other Adaptations and Related Works
Film: In 1938, following its theatrical triumphs, the play was made into two separate movies productions, one in ShanghaiShanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
and another in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, that were almost coincidental versions of one another. The latter production, made in 1957, co-starred a young Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
in one of his few non-fighting roles (Lei Yu, dir. Wui Ng). The 2006 movie Curse of the Golden Flower
Curse of the Golden Flower
Curse of the Golden Flower is a 2006 Chinese epic drama film directed by Zhang Yimou.With a budget of US$45 million, it was at the time of its release the most expensive Chinese film to date, surpassing Chen Kaige's The Promise...
, directed and written by Zhang Yimou
Zhang Yimou
Zhang Yimou is a Chinese film director, producer, writer and actor, and former cinematographer. He is counted amongst the Fifth Generation of Chinese filmmakers, having made his directorial debut in 1987 with Red Sorghum....
, sets the same play in the imperial courts of the late Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
.
Characters
- Zhou Puyuan (周 朴园 Zhōu Pǔyuán)- He is a 55 year old man who is the CEO of a mining company.
- Zhou Fanyi (周 繁漪 Zhōu Fányī) - She is Puyuan's wife. She is 35 years old.
- Zhou Ping (周 萍 Zhōu Píng) - He is the son of Puyuan's ex-wife. He is 28 years old.
- Zhou Chong (周 冲 Zhōu Chōng) - He is Fanyi's 17-year old son.
- Lu Gui (鲁 贵 Lǔ Guì) - Lu Gui, a 28-year old man, is a servant at the Zhou household.
- Lu Shiping (鲁 侍萍 Lǔ Shìpíng) - She is Lu Gui's 47-year old wife. She works as a maid at a school.
- Lu Dahai (鲁 大海 Lǔ Dàhǎi) - A 27-year old coal miner, he is the son of Shiping and her ex-husband.
- Lu Sifeng (鲁 四凤 Lǔ Sìfèng) - She is the 18 year old daughter of Lu Gui and Shiping. She is a maidservant working for the Zhou family.
External links
- Translation of The Thunderstorm (Archive) by Genevieve Andreas, Haverford CollegeHaverford CollegeHaverford College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, United States, a suburb of Philadelphia...