The Popularization Tendency Of Tianhan's Drama Before The Foundation Of People's Republic Of China

Tian Han is a dramatist during the time when modern stage play of a new type was initiated, with his participation in stage play writing and dramatic activities relatively earlier than other playwrights. Under the influence of Aesthetic Movement, he did ever dream of a realm of"Art for Art's Sake". He ever claimed, after the birth of his first composition, that he was writing with the theory of"New Romanticism". However, he is, at the same time, one who has a strong sense of responsibility to safeguard the nation. For instance, the tendency in his earlier compositions obviously caters for the populace.Tian Han's idea of for the people traces back to the Hunan culture which emphasizes the governing of the country and the benefit of the people. After the October Revolution, Tian Han joined the Young China Association and wrote many articles such as Poet and Labor Issues. Around the years of the May 4th Movement, Tian Han had the concept that"art comes first", However, enlightment of the masses through drama had always been on his mind, though those dramas tend to be aesthetic and their practical significance was evident mothered by Romanticism and fathered by Naturalism. The so-called"New Romanticism"held by Tian Han consists of elements both from Romanticism and Realism. Tian Han's tendency towards aestheticism has close relation to his idea of"Use art as a weapon to rescue the nation"during the May 4th Period. Realism shown in his works resulted from his consistent pursuit of enlightment of the masses.The Death of a Popular Beijing Opera Singer is a summary of Mr. Tian Han's early works, and also the most complete and relatively mature theatrical writing in art. The theme of"The Destruction of Beauty"was further deepened than other works. The changes of aesthetic style in these compositions actually reflected the growing radical thought of the playwright itself, and they naturally foretold the composing way would shift to the Realism.Tian Han always thought that drama should come from the masses and belong to the masses. He had begun to consider returning the drama to the masses at the 1920s. After the announcement of"conversion", Tian Han put forward a slogan"Back to the Masses". During the contact with the common people, Tian Han began to sympathize and guide them to fight for national independence as well as freedom. In 1930s his works were divided into two categories, one embodies the worker movement, another patriotic movement through Anti-Japanese War. Tian Han made a long-term and laborious attempt to nationalize and popularization drama in order to make them serve the masses better. He was the engineer as well as the constructor who bridged stage play and opera perfectly.