Topic > Analysis of Cao Yu's play "Thunderstorm"

In this essay I would like to analyze Cao Yu's most influential play Thunderstorm, written in 1934. Both texts In this text, there would be great emphasis on feminism and the darkness of feudal society. Let's start with the master of an honorable and wealthy family, Zhou Pu-yuan, who is a classic portrait of an ancient Chinese patriarchal family. He had two children with his first wife Shi-ping, who was actually his maid. The names of those sons were Zhou Ping and Ta-hai. In the future, Zhou Pu-yuan marries an educated and decent young woman named Fan-yi, she is one of the main characters of the work. It is also worth mentioning that he is only a few years older than his son Zhou Ping. As the master becomes deeply involved in the miners' speculation, Fan-yi becomes impatient and the fervor he once had disappears. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Despite the law, Fan-yi has a secret relationship with Zhou Ping. However, Zhou Ping tries to get closer to Si-feng who is the daughter of Shi-ping, the master's first wife. The attraction between Si-feng and Zhou Ping really makes Fan-yi angry, she will do anything to take revenge, so finally towards the end of the show she reveals everything about the relationship. This had huge repercussions as Si-feng runs away and is accidentally electrocuted by a live wire during a thunderstorm. She ran away because she found out that Zhou Ping was actually her blood brother, she just couldn't deal with the humiliation that came with it. Zhou Chong is also killed trying to save Si-feng. The whole ending becomes even more bizarre when Zhou Ping commits suicide by shooting himself leaving Fan-yi to go crazy. Although the ending is catastrophic with most of the main characters dead, it makes sense to end it this way. It is quite a convincing ending as there is an antagonistic conflict between the master and his wife; we can see that there is a huge hole in the space of patriarchy and old Chinese moral values. There is the symbolism of the greedy, sadistic man who is compelled by a frustrating possessive instinct; the family in which all the action takes place symbolizes security and strength; Fan Yi symbolizes a woman who countless times tries to escape her past through an unbalanced love affair and her palpable passion that is ultimately disastrous and extremely limited by a sense of sin. Fan-yi is the most interesting character in the work thanks to his explosive vehemence. she disintegrates the chains of morality, her desire for revenge against her husband satisfies her desire to gratify her repressed sexuality. If she were alive during the rise of feminism she would probably become queen. Although he has the spirit of ancient China in his heart, he frees himself from the suffocating dominion of the master's house. She courageously resists revenge by harboring an inexorable love affair with her stepson, an unforgivable sin for the time. Even if he psychologically revokes the master and his family, physically he depends on them. It is certainly not self-sufficient and must rely on its owner to survive. His confrontation with the master is not due to his struggle for individuality but because of his despondency and desperation for love. Fan-yi's emotional dependence and exorbitant tenderness for Zhou Ping are crystal clear when he says, "Ping, this is the last time I beg You; I have never spoken like this to anyone, now please have mercy on me." and "please take me away---take me away from here. In the future, you will also live with Si-feng, I can bear it as long as you don't leave me alone." (Yu, 1934) He tries his best to break the relationship between Si-feng and Zhou Ping by placing all sorts of obstacles in their path. Get to the point of.