Thunderstorm: A Modern Reflection on Cao Yu’s Tragedy

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Cao Yu’s Thunderstorm (1934) offers five lessons for contemporary society:

1. The Danger of Authoritarianism: Zhou Puyuan’s tyranny mirrors corporate dictatorship and bureaucratic corruption, urging checks on power;
2. Gender Equality: Fanyi’s rebellion resonates with #MeToo, highlighting the need to dismantle patriarchal norms;
3. Class Struggle Revisited: The conflict between Lu Dahai and Zhou reflects modern labor rights issues, such as gig economy exploitation;
4. Mental Health Awareness: Sifeng’s suicide underscores the cost of emotional suppression, advocating for psychological support;
5. Systemic Reform: The tragedy stems from outdated systems, paralleling the need to modernize rigid institutions in business and governance.
   For example, the play’s “storm” metaphor finds modern parallels in climate activism’s call for urgent action. Yet Cao Yu’s message remains universal: true progress requires confronting hidden truths.