A Moral Evaluation

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 tryin...