Guo Moruo’s The Nirvana of the Feng and Huang (1921) as a Chinese modernist poem that reinvigorates traditional myths and legends

This research paper explores the intersection of modernist poetry and Chinese cultural revival during the early 20th century, focusing on the poetry of Guo Moruo (1892-1978), a prominent figure in modern Chinese literature. It delves into the adaptation of Western modernist techniques in Chinese poetry as a means of critiquing and rejuvenating traditional cultural forms in the face of social and political upheaval. Guo Moruo’s engagement with Western influences, particularly through his translations of Walt Whitman, exemplifies the broader movement among Chinese intellectuals to seek new modes of self-expression and challenge the rigid structures of Chinese society. Examining Guo Moruo’s poem The Nirvana of the Feng and Huang (1921) as a case study, the paper analyzes how modernist poets reanimated ancient Chinese myths and legends to convey contemporary social and political commentary. Through the voices of the mythical Feng and Huang, Guo Moruo critiques the oppressive conditions of late Qing society while expressing a fervent desire for change and rebirth.