Mao the Poet

Studio 360

Mao Zedong believed in the radical transformation of every aspect of Chinese life. “Art” under Mao meant extolling the glories of communism.Sarah Campbell discovered a strange footnote to Mao’s biography: he was a poet, and not altogether a bad one — but he might have had himself persecuted as a reactionary.

Invest in independent global news

The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!