A Moral Evaluation

Abstract

Cao Wenmin: After the showing of Aspirations I went to visit about a dozen or so work units in iron and steel factories, textile factories, and electrical meter factories. The overall reaction I found was one of applause from the working masses. Aspirations is about us, about our own lives, and it is close to the feelings of the broad masses in our socialist country. Some older workers saw a younger version of themselves in the character of Liu Huifang. In those earlier years of hardship, and against that larger historical backdrop, they feel that they too had cared for and protected intellectuals just as Huifang cared for and protected Wang Husheng. They say that, although they dared not speak to the intellectuals face to face in public, when there were no other people around, in the rest rooms, and in the changing rooms, they would quietly and secretly say a few words to comfort the intellectuals: "Take care of yourselves," or "Take it easy." For those younger workers who had not experienced those trying days, they are nonetheless also deeply moved by the spirit of Huifang and of Song Dacheng. Reflecting on these last few years, the level of morality and ethics in society has indeed been quite disappointing. The title of this drama, Aspirations, speaks of the people's aspirations and hopes for the truth, the goodness and beauty of human nature. We can very well say that in all the trades and professions, among the ranks of the working class, there are many people like Huifang and Dacheng. The worker comrades hope that artists will indeed write more about people like them, and they await the appearance of more good works of art like Aspirations. In other respects, many worker comrades believe that under the new historical conditions, intellectuals and people of the working class need to communicate with each other on a new level, to learn from each other's strengths to overcome their own weaknesses, to unite as one in the endeavor to build up their causes.