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How did scar literature respond to the Cultural Revolution?

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Scene from Romance of the Three Kingdoms — Chinese literature *Zhang Fei on the Long Sloped Bridge Turning Away One Million Wei Troops with a Powerful Stare*, woodblock colour print by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, 1884. It depicts a scene from the novel *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*.

Following the decade-long Cultural Revolution (1966–76), "scar literature" emerged as a form of national catharsis. This genre served as an accusatory response to the trauma and political upheaval of the period, allowing writers to confront the hardships endured during the "holocaust" of the Cultural Revolution.1

By documenting these experiences, scar literature broke the silence imposed during the years when literary output was restricted to a few screened works and model revolutionary operas. This movement marked a significant shift in Chinese literature, transitioning from the rigid ideological constraints of the previous era toward a period of greater professional and creative expression. It paved the way for more daring literary developments, including stylistic experiments in stream of consciousness, sharp political criticism, and the rise of "obscure" poetry.21